In November 2009 there were 78,204 confirmed or presumed asbestos sites in Queensland schools.

More than 11,000 sites have slight to major damage.

More than 100 sites are in an "unstable" condition.

94 asbestos "events' have been recorded in Queensland schools during 2009.

About two Queensland schools are being forced into a partial shutdown each week because of asbestos problems.

Asbestos can be found in Queensland school -

* vinyl ( lino ) flooring ( there are thousands of cases across Queensland ),

* ceilings,

* walls,

* splashbacks,

* drains,

* bag racks,

* benches,

* old telecommunication pits,

* pipes around trees.

Asbestos in Queensland school buildings can be exposed -

* when it is dislodged during vandalism,

* when it is dislodged during repairs or upgrades to classrooms.

There have been numerous incidents of asbestos materials being drilled during the installation of data cables and airconditioners in schools.

* when it is dislodged during damage to school buildings,

* when asbestos debris resurfaces in school playgrounds, sandpits and ovals.

Queensland Association of State School Principals president Norm Hart says that it was common practice in the 1950's to bulldoze and bury school buildings.

"Over time the material can come to the surface and when it does appear ... there is an issue," he said.

This old fill directly exposes children to asbestos. During the 12 months to September 2009, some of the worst material was debris found in primary school play areas.

QUT asbestos expert William Kwiecien says that the risk to Queensland school students from asbestos debris is "extremely low" in most cases, as sheeting with smaller percentages is most likely to resurface.

But the Queensland government revealed in November 2009 that it had rated one type of asbestos wall sheeting as far more dangerous because it could potentially crumble.

Mackay is the worst area for asbestos in schools across Queensland, with some of the most degraded, and therefore dangerous, material in their school buildings.

One Townsville teacher died of mesothelioma, the cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, after repeatedly wiping asbestos dust off desks when it fell from her classroom's ceiling.

Thady Blundell, of Turner Freeman Lawyers, said the firm had acted for two Queensland teachers who developed mesothelioma after asbestos exposure.

Turner Freeman are also representing other teachers who had been exposed to asbestos.

Cancer Council CEO Professor Ian Oliver says mesothelioma is expected to kill up to 18,000 Australians by 2020.

To view the Education Queensland asbestos register visit : www.education.qld.gov.au/asbestos

Calls for greater focus on asbestos, AAP, The Courier-Mail : 28 June 2010.

Schoolkids forced to shower in clothes after asbestos in roof fell on them at Mackay, Tanya Chilcott, The Courier-Mail : 12 March 2010.

Asbestos riddles Coast's schools, Anne-Louise Brown, The Sunshine Coast Daily : 22 November 2009

Asbestos shuts class, Tanya Chilcott, schools reporter, P. 4, The Courier-Mail, 21-22 November, 2009

Danger in school dust, Page 4, The Courier-Mail : November 21-22, 2009

Kids potentially exposed to asbestos, The Courier-Mail : 21 November, 2009

State school asbestos assessment reveals 80,000 risky sites , Tanya Chilcott, The Courier-Mail : 20 November, 2009

Schoolkids exposed as asbestos found in ovals, sandpits, Tanya Chilcott, The Courier-Mail : 28 September, 2009.

Asbestos in hundreds of schools, Kelmeny Fraser, The Sunday Mail : 26 July, 2009

Asbestolux is a low-density board, made up of up to 70 per cent compressed asbestos fibres.

10 per cent compressed asbestos fibres are commonly found in asbestos cement sheeting.

Asbestolux boards are soft and crumble with the pressure of a fingernail.

The Queensland government was warned about Asbestolux TWO YEARS before it launched an audit of Queensland schools in search of the product.

Most of Queensland's 1400 schools remain unchecked in July 2010.

Under questioning from shadow education minister Bruce Flegg at parlimentary estimates hearings, Education Department director-general Julie Grantham confirmed that 289 Queensland schools were inspected for the material between December 2009 and February 2010.

Asbestolux was detected in 115 of the 289 schools.

"All it takes is for a schoolbag to knock against a wall for the fibres to be released," Dr Flegg said.

Asbestos 'cover up' - new threat hits schools, David Murray, p. 17, The Sunday Mail, 25 July 2010

Queensland schools riddled with asbestos, inspections show, AAP: 25 July 2010

Asbestos problems in Queensland schools may not always be the contractor's fault.

It is surprising how many Queensland schools don't have access to information regarding what asbestos is suspected to be in the schools, including the official departmental register.

Records are quite often out of date, inaccurate or missing altogether.

The contractors may not even be aware that they are working with asbestos.

I've seen numerous times where contarctors try to get the information before starting work and are told it was all removed years ago, only to find that the buildings have been re-named, or only part of the asbestos was removed.

This is what usually leads to these problems.

Darren of Brisbane, Reader's Comment : Two students (sic) may have been exposed to asbestos dust at Queensland schools, Rosemary Odgers, The Courier-Mail, 11 March 2010.

Education Minister Geoff Wilson said that it was the school principal's responsibility to ensure the safety of students and staff when it came to asbestos-related incidents.

And "any failure to fulfil those obligations will result in disciplinary action," Mr Wilson said.

Asbestos fears at fourth Mackay-based school , David Barbeler, AAP, The Courier-Mail : 12 March 2010.

North Queensland Queensland Teachers' Union organiser Julieanne Gilbert says that part of the blame for asbestos problems in Queensland schools should go to the trained professionals whose job it was to come to the schools and inspect them for asbestos.

Minister angers school teachers, Fallon Hudson, The Daily Mercury : 13 March 2010.

The tried and proven method in Queensland is to report these things immediately and anonymously to the media.

Don't worry about telling your supervisors, reporting it to the Education Department, making submissions to the principal or bleating on in staff meetings, simply make an anonymous call to the media.

Action will be taken, and only taken, once the public are aware of it.

Otherwise it is just delay, excuses and spin.

Bill, Reader's Comment 7 of 15, Teacher claims government covered up high school asbestos problem, Patrick Lion, The Courier-Mail, 23 January, 2010

A ceiling collapsed at Allenstown State School.

This exposed lining that contained asbestos. 

Asbestos in hundreds of schools, Kelmeny Fraser, The Sunday Mail, 26 July, 2009.

Asbestos material was discovered under the Ashgrove State School oval late last year.

Soil at this school was listed as "contaminated".

But Education Queensland says that the site was cleared and is now deemed safe.

 Schoolkids exposed as asbestos found in ovals, sandpits, Tanya Chilcott, The Courier-Mail : 28 September, 2009.

A contractor working at Ashmore State School allegedly failed to check the asbestos register, consult staff or draw up a work plan.

He simply walked into a classroom and started drilling holes into an asbestos-lined ceiling.

Children were in the classroom at the time.

Students exposed to asbestos after contractor 'failed to check asbestos register' and drilled into ceiling, Greg Stolz, The Courier-Mail, 23 April 2010.

Atherton State High School has the worst asbestos risk in Far North Queensland.

It is the only Far Northern school ranked in the most serious category.

Extensive work has begun to remove asbestos.

Parents of Atherton State High School students said that the risk was well known in the school community.

But lack of funding meant that the asbestos risk had remained for years longer than it should have.

Parent Ray Kirkman said, "I would like to have seen the issue dealt with in one or two years rather than four to five years."

"A lot of the asbestos is in the roof so as long as it isn't disturbed the risk is minimal," Mr Kirkman said.

'Serious' asbestos risk at high school, Alita Pashley, P.5 The Cairns Post : 23 November, 2009 

12 October 2009 : Access was restricted to a new arts building site after asbestos was found in imported building fill.

Queensland Education director-general Julie Grantham said that qualified and independent authorities had provided a clearance before students and staff were allowed back into the area.

Asbestos shuts class, Tanya Chilcott, schools reporter, p. 4, The Courier-Mail : 21-22 November 2009

Debris containing asbestos was removed from the Birkdale South State School netball courts in 2009.

Education Queensland says that the site was cleared and that it is now deemed safe.

Schoolkids exposed as asbestos found in ovals, sandpits, Tanya Chilcott, The Courier-Mail : 28 September, 2009.

4 November 2009 :Access to the James Centre hall had to be restricted.

A fire had damaged material containing asbestos.

Queensland Education director-general Julie Grantham said that qualified and independent authorities had provided a clearance before students and staff were allowed back into the areas.

Asbestos shuts class, Tanya Chilcott, schools reporter, P.4, The Courier-Mail 21-22 November 2009

Children climbed on to the roof of a games area at Buddina State School during the school holidays.

They dislodged a drainpipe cover.

It crashed to the ground and fibres were released.

The area tested positive to asbestos.

 Asbestos in hundreds of schools, Kelmeny Fraser, The Sunday Mail, 26 July, 2009.

Asbestos debris was removed from the playground / softball area and oval in 2009.

Schoolkids exposed as asbestos found in ovals, sandpits, Tanya Chilcott, The Courier-Mail, 28 September, 2009.

Asbestos debris was removed from underneath a hall in 2009.

Schoolkids exposed as asbestos found in ovals, sandpits, Tanya Chilcott, The Courier-Mail, 28 September, 2009.

Simon Smith has worked as an asbestos removalist for almost 20 years.

His daughter attends Caningeraba State School.

At 6.15am on Wednesday 3 June 2009, work began on removing a bag rack from Caningeraba State School.

At 8.20am that day Simon Smith dropped his daughter off at the school.

"There were no warning tapes, no barriers, no sign, the actual workers were not wearing overalls and respirators ... there was no hazardous dust vacuum, nothing."

Simon Smith rang to ask an administration officer at the school if the bag rack contained asbestos.

She spoke to the QBuild workers and then phoned back to advise Mr Smith that the bag rack did not contain asbestos.

And a QBuild employee at the school told The Bulletin that the bag rack was made of compressed fibro, not asbestos.

One of Mr Smith's workers happened to be at the Reedy Creek landfill at the same time as the QBuild men were offloading the bag racks.

He took a sample from the Caningeraba State School bag racks.

The sample was sent to an independent Brisbane-based accredited laboratory.

By 1.30pm the sample had been found to contain chrysotile asbestos - a known carcinogen which can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

And the QBuild workers had lodged a form at the landfill specifying that the bag rack contained asbestos.

"It is unfortunate the parent did not complain directly to the workers concerned as they may have been able to explain the methodology employed and alleviate his concerns," said Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten.

"It's one lie to cover up another," said Simon Smith.

• Gold Coast school asbestos bungle, Melissa Townsend, The Gold Coast Bulletin, June 5th, 2009: http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/06/05/85485_gold-coast-top-story.html 

Asbestos debris from a nesting bird fell through a perforated ceiling during 2009.

Schoolkids exposed as asbestos found in ovals, sandpits, Tanya Chilcott, The Courier-Mail, 28 September, 2009.

Opposition Education spokesman Bruce Flegg showed this morning's Estimates hearing photographs of Chapel Hill State School classroom floors covered in strips of masking tape. 

Dr Flegg asked why the school floors had been left in this condition since 2007.

Building Services Staff apparently told Chapel Hill State School staff that the situation was "one of the worst they had seen".

Every classroom was affected. The admin block was affected. The entire school was affected. 

Education Minister Geoff Wilson said that the asbestos-backed flooring at Chapel Hill State School would now be replaced in the September school holidays.

Lives risked in school's asbestos floor band-aid : Opposition, Tony Moore, The Brisbane Times, 23 July, 2009.

October 2009 : building debris containing asbestos was found along a fence line, restricting access for almost a week.

Queensland Education director-general Julie Grantham said that qualified and experienced authorities had provided a clearance before students and staff were allowed back into the area.

Asbestos shuts class, Tanya Chilcott, schools reporter, P. 4, The Courier-Mail : 21-22 November 2009

Asbestos dust was found on school desks in 2008.

Danger in school dust, P. 4, The Courier-Mail : November 21-22, 2009

Eight Miles Plains State School was forced to restrict access to outdoor areas after asbestos material was found in September 2009.

Schoolkids exposed as asbestos found in ovals, sandpits, Tanya Chilcott, The Courier-Mail : 28 September, 2009.

Building products containing asbestos were disturbed at Highfields State School on Friday 19 February 2010, during electrical work in a Year 7 classroom.

Education Queensland Deputy Director-General Infrastructure Services Alan Wagner said that, as a precaution, materials including carpet, a concertina door and resources of teachers and students, including books and even school bags, were "disposed of".

Asbestos forces classroom closure,, Jim Campbell, The Chronical : 17 March 2010.

Contractors replacing air conditioners in Hopevale State School teacher accommodation discovered potential asbestos residue.

Tests indicated that the problem extended to teachers' clothing, books and other personal items.

• QTU members see off asbestos threat, Maureen Duffy, QTU Organiser, Peninsula, Queensland Teachers' Journal,p. 16, 20 March 2009.

Indooroopilly State High School teacher Rob Wiltshire claims that Education Queensland failed to act on repeated warnings that asbestos and debris had fallen from damaged ceilings in corridors and classrooms in the school science block.

Mr Wiltshire claims that the asbestos and debris had fallen on to furniture.

And that, late in 2009, debris fell out of the damaged staff room ceiling on to a staff member.

Mr Wiltshire claims that another teacher - a learning support teacher - was also considering legal action, claiming that the asbestos made them sick.

"The ceiling is due to be replaced in time for the start of school next week," Queensland Education Minister Geoff Wilson said.

"All asbestos in the ... science block is in a safe condition."

But Mr Wiltshire said workers had only gone into the school this week to fix the issue after The Courier-Mail made inquiries.

Teacher claims government covered up high school asbestos problem, Patrick Lion, The Courier-Mail, 23 January, 2010.

Traffic in a school carpark dredged up landfill containing asbestos.

Deadly fibres were potentially released.

Danger in school dust, P. 4, The Courier-Mail : 21-22 November, 2009

Three buildings at Kallangur State School were exposed to asbestos after a contractor drilled holes in walls to install data cabling.

The school had filled out all of the appropriate paperwork, notifying the contractor of the asbestos.

But the correct procedures were not followed.

Fortunately this happened during the school holidays and QBuild tradesmen and contractors were able to have the school safe before the students and teachers returned.

 Asbestos in hundreds of schools, Kelmeny Fraser, The Sunday Mail, 26 July, 2009.

A block of the 900-student Kruger State School, at Bellbird Park near Ipswich, was shut on Thursday after cracked fibro ceiling panels were found to contain asbestos.

• Asbestos scare temporarily closes Kruger primary school, Elizabeth Allen, The Courier-Mail, March 29, 2009: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25260007-3102,00.html

Kristen Doyle was a first-year Queensland teacher working in Lockhart River State School.

Workers began drilling holes in school ceilings and walls for Managed Operating Environment (MOE) intallation.

The workers discovered asbestos.

Kirsten, the QTU rep, had to deal with the situation because the Department of Education was strangely unresponsive.

The Lockhart River State School teachers refused to re-enter their rooms till they had been properly tested, cleaned-up and re-tested.

Asbestos was found in a teacher's desk, the prep building, the staffroom and classrooms for every year level except year five.

Tests showed asbestos contamination of skirting boards in the main teaching block.

And asbestos mixed with cement dust in the pre-school building.

It took a week for the area to be declared clear of asbestos.

Asbestos was again found in Lockhart River classrooms in November 2009.

On 20 November 2009 Education Queensland stated that cleaning had "commenced".

• Danger in school dust, P.4, The Courier-Mail : November 21-22, 2009
• QTU members see off asbestos threat, Maureen Duffy, QTU Organiser, Peninsula, Queensland Teachers' Journal,p. 16, 20 March 2009.

Staff and students at Mackay North High School were evacuated from 19 classrooms and five staffrooms in early March 2010.

It had been revealed that workers had disturbed asbestos fibres in the roofs of the buildings.

Concerns were raised about possible asbestos dust on the walls and ceilings of several rooms.

Mackay North High School students had been potentially exposed to asbestos for up to six months.

The principal of Mackay North State High School is to be investigated by Education Queensland.

Govt to probe school asbestos scare, ABC News, 11 March 2010.

Two students (sic) may have been exposed to asbestos dust at Queensland schools, Rosemary Odgers, The Courier-Mail, 11 March, 2010.

Schoolkids forced to shower in clothes after asbestos in roof fell on them at Mackay, Tanya Chilcott, The Courier-Mail : 12 March 2010.

Minister angers school teachers, Fallon Hudson, The Daily Mercury : 13 March 2010

The Queensland Government is likely to sue the contractor who incorrectly handled asbestos at Mackay West State School.

Contractors allegedly sanded asbestos walls at the school and then used a domestic vacuum to remove paint flecks.

And on 10 December 2009 a house beside the school was demolished during school hours. The house contained asbestos.

Govt to probe school asbestos scare, ABC News, 11 March 2010.

Minister angers school teachers, Fallon Hudson, The Daily Mercury : 13 March 2010.

Asbestos debris was found in the Manly State School sandpit in July 2009.

The sand was replaced.

More debris was also found under a shade structure in the school's playground.

This debris was unstable and severely deteriorated.

Schoolkids exposed as asbestos found in ovals, sandpits, Tanya Chilcott, The Courier-Mail : 28 September, 2009.

20 biology students were blanketed in dust at about 9.45am on Tuesday 9 March 2010, after a classroom ceiling sagged at Mirani State High in the Mackay region of Queensland.

The students were forced to shower in their uniforms.

Education Queensland deputy director-general Alan Wagner reassured their parents that "subsequent testing did not identify any asbestos containing debris within the room".

"However, sample results of dust in the ceiling cavity confirmed the presence of asbestos."

All clothes, shoes and student backpacks have been stored for a period of time - in accordance with workplace health and safety guidelines - until the issue is resolved.

Will the parents of these children be allowed to have their children's clothes, shoes and backpacks independently tested?

Asbestos fears at fourth Mackay-based school, David Barbeler, AAP, The Courier-Mail : 12 March 2010.

Schoolkids forced to shower in clothes after asbestos in roof fell on them at Mackay, Tanya Chilcott, The Courier-Mail : 12 March 2010.

Students were evacuated from classrooms in early March 2010 after concerns were raised about possible asbestos dust on the walls and ceilings of several rooms.

Asbestos was found at the school and removed.

The principal of Moranbah East State School is to be investigated by Education Queensland.

Two students (sic) may have been exposed to asbestos dust at Queensland schools, Rosemary Odgers, The Courier-Mail : 11 March 2010.

Asbestos fears at fourth Mackay-based school, David Barbeler, AAP, The Courier-Mail : 12 March 2010.

Minister angers school teachers, Fallon Hudson, The Daily Mercury : 13 March 2010.

In February 2009 Steve Morrison, the former president of the Manbour State High School parents and citizens association, raised concerns about damaged asbestos flooring in several classrooms at the school.

On 21 November 2009 Mr Morrison told The Sunshine Coast Daily that the situation was a disgrace.

"The problem with asbestos is that the effects are not immediate - they can take 30 years to develop."

"Right now the health of thousands of people is being put at risk," Mr Morrison said.

Terry Evans, spokesperson for the Sunshine Coast branch of the Queensland Teachers' Union ( QTU ) said he had received numerous complaints from teachers about the asbestos risk.

Asbestos riddles Coast's schools, Anne-Louise Brown, The Sunshine Coast daily : 22 November 2009

Seven Hills State School was forced to restrict access to outdoor areas after asbestos was found in September 2009.

Asbestos debris has also been found at the school in the past.

Education Queensland says that its asbestos removal program "continued" at the school.

Danger in school dust, P.4, The Courier-Mail : 21-22 November, 2009

Schoolkids exposed as asbestos found in ovals, sandpits, Tanya Chilcott, The Courier-Mail, 28 September, 2009.

A child at Springwood Central State School took a piece of asbestos home.

It is understood that children had been playing with the asbestos debris.

They seem to have found it in buried material from old school buildings.

The old material seems to have resurfaced.

 Schoolkids exposed as asbestos found in ovals, sandpits, Tanya Chilcott, The Courier-Mail, 28 September, 2009:

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26132837-952,00.html

In an incident during October 2009, access was restricted to Tewantin State School's junior playground after building debris containing asbestos was found.

Four days later the area was deemed safe.

Queensland Education director-general Julie Grantham said that qualified and independent authorities had provided a clearance before students and staff were allowed back into the areas.

Asbestos shuts class, Tanya Chilcott, schools reporter, p. 4, The Courier-Mail : 21-22 November 2009.

April 7 2009 : Students and staff at Undurba State School at Murrumba Downs, north of Brisbane, may have been exposed to asbestos fibres.

During lunchtime on 7 April 2009 a contractor was installing airconditioning in a Year 3 classroom.

A dust cloud was created as workers cut fibro wall sheeting.

Older-style fibro wall sheeting can contain up to 15 per cent of asbestos fibre.

The classroom remains off-limits while it is being decontaminated.

Valuable teaching resources that were in the classroom have had to be dumped.

• Asbestos scare for students at Queensland school, Kelmeny Fraser, The Sunday Mail, April 26, 2009 : http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25385239-952,00.html
• New asbestos scare at Murrumba Downs school, Kelmeny Fraser, The Sunday Mail, May 17, 2009: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25494294-3102,00.html
• Asbestos shuts class, Tanya Chilcott, schools reporter, The Courier-Mail : 21-22 November 2009

Part of a Windaroo State School building had to be closed for four days after wall sheeting cracked during cabling work.

Queensland Education director-general Julie Grantham said that qualified and independent authorities had provided clearance before students and staff were allowed back into the area.

Asbestos shuts class, Tanya Chilcott, schools reporter, P.4, The Courier-Mail : 21-22 November, 2009

During the last three days of term two 2010, and during the school holidays, contractors installed electronic whiteboards and projectors at Wulguru State School.

Testing has since confirmed that material containing asbestos was present in one of the classrooms.

The Education Department has contacted the parents of about 70 Townsville students who may have been exposed to asbestos.

School fears shows asbestos management 'not working', Niki Lyons, Melissa Maddison and Sigrid Brown, ABC News : 14 July 2010

Fears Townsville students may have been exposed to asbestos, Niki Lyons and Sigrid Brown, ABC News : 14 July 2010.