Fungus fears at St Ambrose
Last updated 29th Aug 2019
There are more questions about the schools at the centre of a contamination scare in Coatbridge.
Photographs shared on social media by the campaign group Scottish Hazards show mushroom-like fungus growing in the corners of a classroom at St Ambrose, which was built over a former industrial landfil site.
North Lanarkshire Council told Clyde News is was caused by recent heavy rain.
Scottish Hazards is demanding independent laboratory tests are carried out to prove whether it is harmless or otherwise.
They're also calling for air quality testing to take place to identify the cause of the growths as well as checks on other classrooms.
The council issued a statement saying: “Following the recent heavy rainfall, a leak was detected in the ceiling area of one classroom. Floor tiles in the corner of a classroom had been damaged with the dampness and have now been removed. Repairs are underway and will be completed by tomorrow (Thursday.)”
Earlier this month an independent review ordred by the Scottish Government into health concerns at the St Ambrose and Buchanan High campus concluded that “the site and schools are safe” with no link to illness.
The panel found no problems with the quality of the drinking water or the methane membrane layer over the landfil, with no gases detected and out of 60 soil samples all but one posed no concerns.
It also found there was "no causal link" with the five reported cancer cases among staff or the loss of sight of a pupil with elevated arsenic levels.
However, elevated levels of industrial chemical polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were found at one sample pit area, on a patch of grass between the school building and community centre.
They instructed that the contamination be removed from the patch of land as a "precautionary measure".
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