Kids at Daycare Center Exposed to Asbestos

January 31, 2007 - Alarmed parents and officials at a Sydney, Australia daycare center can’t believe that their children have been playing right beside a lot covered with asbestos.  According to an article in The Daily Telegraph, the potentially deadly material was found at a demolition site next door to the Lollypop's Playland Centre at North Strathfield during a routine union inspection. No one knows how long it has been there.

Each day, hundreds of children from infants to age 12 are cared for at the Sydney center yet no one had told Lollypop Playland officials that the lot beside their building – owned by the same company that owns the daycare – was covered with chunks of asbestos. 
The asbestos on the lot, which is the site of a former factory, was discovered by Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) official Stuart Edward, who immediately notified the proper authorities.

CFMEU secretary Andrew Ferguson said the children's lives had been placed at risk because of the developer's neglect. "Exposure to just one fiber of asbestos has the potential to result in slow and painful death,'' he said.

Trevor Marinovich, the project manager of a nearby shopping center that’s also owned by the same landlord, said the demolition contractor had been “taking pains to remove the asbestos” and he did not know how the exposed pieces were left there.
"He's now made that safe and we'll be disposing of it in a professional way,'' Mr. Marinovich said.  "He's assured me the site is safe.''

In the meantime, parents of children who attend the programs at the center were disturbed.  Elizabeth Alegre said she was "disgusted'' the construction site and cafe did not have signs warning of the presence of the asbestos.

"It's irresponsible. If you hadn't told me I'd have no idea. You would think they'd be more careful because it's so close to a place that is so popular with children,'' she said.