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Veyrier, Switzerland (20min, Fre) – The Veyrier
elementary school in canton Geneva has been closed after a
"significant" amount of asbestos was found in the school.

Photo: Lake Geneva region, school children

Eighty
students were assigned to other schools in the area while most of the
years 5 and 6 students were taken to the Bois-Gourmand school. Many
parents are upset, according to 20 Minutes, because the commune did not provide for
transportation arrangements for the students and for the late notice
they were given. The Veyrier mayor apologized and said they will
continue to work to improve the situation.

Ed. note:
Geneva authorities agreed in November 2007 to increase asbestos monitoring in public buildings, including several schools. The use of asbestos in buildings was relatively common in Switzerland,
as elsewhere, until 1990. A complex mix of federal, cantonal and
communal authorities in environmental, health and worker protection
departments have been monitoring the situation
for the past 17 years. Asbestos fibers in ceilings were used,
particularly in metal structures, in part because they provided good
noise reduction and fire resistance. Buildings were the material is
found are inventoried and where feasible, the asbestos is removed. Its
presence is generally not considered a problem unless dust from the
fibers is able to escape: Brochure on asbestos use, history and surveillance in Geneva, by Stipi.