Asbestos News

The report on an asbestos incident that occurred at a UK school when a science experiment went haywire is expected to be ready after the Easter break.

In late March, a project that involved a hydrogen balloon caused a reaction that may have disturbed asbestos in the ceiling of a classroom at Kintbury St Mary's Primary School in West Berkshire, according to Newbury Today.

Parents have been concerned that their children came in contact with the naturally occurring mineral, exposure to which can cause malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. School administrators are now assuring them that they will be some of the first to know the results of testing of the disturbed material.

"As explained previously, parents will be the first to be informed about test results," Phil Spray, West Berkshire Council spokesman, told the news source. "A full report from an independent expert will be made available to parents as soon as possible following the Easter holidays."

In addition to releasing the report, the school said that it would hold a meeting for parents with an education representative from the West Berkshire Council and someone from the Health and Safety Executive, Britain's federal workplace safety organization.