Schools with asbestos risks number at least 293

Insulation panels that could release asbestos are in at least 293 schools, the Czech School Inspectorate reports. The city hall in České Budějovice closed three primary schools in a housing estate this week after health workers discovered the presence of asbestos. The number comes from a questionnaire sent to 8,500 schools, asking whether the panels were used in the their construction and whether recent renovations have taken place that could have disturbed the panels. The result is preliminary and an analysis will be carried out next week.