P.E.I. government to remove asbestos tiles from schools

The P.E.I. government says it will remove and replace asbestos-containing ceiling tiles this summer in several Island schools.

Low levels of asbestos have now been found in the ceiling tiles of nine Island schools. The initial number was seven. The province now says Ecole Evangeline and Ecole La Belle Cloche also have the tiles.

• 7 P.E.I. schools found with asbestos in ceiling tiles

The province says it has budgeted $750,000 for the job. A tender for the work is currently being drawn up.

The other schools include East Wiltshire Intermediate, Eliot River Elementary, St.Louis Elementary, Glen Stewart Primary, Central Queens Elementary and Queen Elizabeth Elementary.

All the schools will be fixed this summer, except work at Three Oaks High school will be done in conjunction with other renovations there.

According to Health Canada's website "breathing in asbestos fibres can cause cancer and other diseases," but the site alsosays, "There are no significant health risks if materials containing asbestos in your home are:tightly bound in products and are in good condition,sealed behind walls and floorboards,isolated in an attic,left undisturbed."

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