DepEd purges public schools of toxic gadgets

[ALU Associated Labor Unions]

By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
5:15 am | Friday, November 25th, 2011

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/99979/deped-purges-public-schools-of-toxic-gadgets

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Education (DepEd) is fast-
tracking the removal of gadgets and other learning equipment suspected
of containing toxic materials from public schools, officials said on
Thursday.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the department has taken steps
to phase out the wire gauze, a flat wire mesh that holds up the flask
atop a Bunsen burner in science laboratories.

According to the DepEd, the gauze is known to contain “three percent
chrysotile asbestos,” exposure to which raises cancer risk.

While already banned in 54 countries, asbestos remains a “regulated
and controlled” material in the Philippines, according to the
Associated Labor Unions (ALU), which raised with the DepEd the issue
of the continued use of asbestos-made wire gauze in schools.

“We have done the same in the case of mercury and mercury-laden
gadgets and equipment, which is being phased out in all Philippine
schools, including school clinics,” said Luistro in a statement.

“Part of our mandate is to ensure that the learning environment does
not pose any kind of threat to the well-being of our students and
school officials,” he said.

Luistro said the department is now looking into procuring wire gauze
that is made of safe material.

The DepEd is already implementing an asbestos management plan that
obliges school officials “to regularly check asbestos levels” and
track the location of asbestos-made tools in schools.

“DepEd will be issuing a memorandum to all schools on the proper
handling and disposal of wire gauzes,” he said.

The ALU earlier called on the DepEd to protect the school community
from the ill effects of asbestos in school equipment.

In a letter to Luistro last month, ALU noted that asbestos-made wire
gauze was still in use in the schools despite its known health risks.

The group commended the DepEd for “heeding and acting swiftly on our
call,” calling the department’s move a “progressive response” to its
concern over the use of cancerous materials.