AN independent review has concluded schools built on a former industrial landfill site are safe to attend, with tests finding no link to ill-health.
A report says water samples taken at the Buchanan and St Ambrose High School campus at Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, passed all quality standards. It also says the methane membrane under the school building was installed correctly and no landfill related gases were detected.
However, North Lanarkshire Council and the local health board are criticised over their handling of concerns raised by staff and parents.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney ordered the review after parents and teachers spoke of blue water coming from taps at the schools, and expressed fears of a link between possible exposure to chemicals and illness among staff and pupils.
Tests found the concentration of contaminants in soil samples were not of concern, with the exception of elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at one location.
The review, co-led by public health consultant Dr Margaret Hannah, recommended North Lanarkshire Council completes a “full and independently verified removal of the chemical” as soon as possible.
The review said it would support the reopening of the schools at the start of the new term on Monday.
Hannah said: “Our principal finding is the schools are safe, the site is safe and there is no link between the school and reported health issues.
“However, we have made recommendations for some work to be carried out in order to provide further public reassurance.”
Swinney said the review’s findings would reassure parents, pupils and staff but added: “The review finds, however, that North Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire did not handle this issue at all well.
“They did not engage with parents sufficiently early or in an inclusive manner. The recommendations will ensure statutory bodies engage far more proactively with parents, staff and pupils to rebuild trust and learn lessons from this for the future.”
Larry Flanagan, general secretary of teaching union EIS, said: “While we accept the majority of the inquiry’s conclusions, it is clear that the concerns at these schools should have been treated very differently by North Lanarkshire Council.
“Its mishandling of the situation on several occasions has increased stress and anxiety levels amongst teachers, parents and pupils. It is essential that the council now works positively to rebuild trust with all members of the school communities. The recommended site recovery group, which we welcome, offers a vehicle for doing that by ensuring active ongoing monitoring of the site.”
Robert Steenson, executive director for enterprise and communities at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “We are pleased that the independent review agrees with the council’s position throughout, which is that the schools are safe and that there is no link between the schools and any serious illness.”
The review recommended regular testing of drinking water on the campus and publication of the results. The council said it would implement the recommendations “swiftly”, with work to remove the chemical found in a sample on the edge of the site to be carried out by Monday.
The local authority accepted the issue of blue water “although harmless in terms of health” could have been dealt with earlier. All pipework has since been replaced.
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