ASBESTOS has been found at the majority of public buildings owned by Pembrokeshire County Council, a freedom of information request has revealed.

Only six of Pembrokeshire’s 70 schools do not contain some sort of asbestos, while a number of local libraries and leisure centres also contain some form of the material, which is now illegal to use.

The reply to the request also shows that crocodolite is the most common form of asbestos found, with amosite and chrysotile found less frequently.

Pembrokeshire County Council inspections have confirmed the presence of asbestos at: Milford Haven Comprehensive, St Francis Catholic School, Milford Haven CP School, Hakin CP School, Hubberston CP School, Neyland CP School, Neyland Junior School although some of these buildings are no longer used. Crocidolite has also been found at libraries in Milford Haven, Hakin and Neyland, the Meads Leisure Centre, while chrysotile has been identified at Neyland Leisure Centre.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, Huw George, had told last week’s full council meeting that 64 schools contained some asbestos, adding levels differed from school to school.

Cllr George said the council had robust systems in place for the management and regulation of asbestos containing material in all Pembrokeshire schools.

He added the Health and Safety Executive recommended that asbestos products should be left in place, providing they were in good condition, and should be subsequently managed.

County Councillor David Bryan’s had asked for the information regarding asbestos in schools following the recent closure of Cwmcarn School in Caerphilly due to asbestos.