Cancer Cluster โFears Prompt Health Audit at Sydney School
Sydney,โ NSW – A NSW Health investigation has been launched into potential โhealth risks at aโค Sydney school after concerns were raised about asbestos and a possible cluster of cancer diagnoses among staff. The investigation, orderedโ by Premier Chrisโ Minns, will include โคepidemiological research following allegations that warnings were issued to staff โคto keep the initial discovery of asbestos “within the community.”
The school, located within Minns’ โคown electorate, โขwasโ the subject ofโข initial testing after asbestos โwas found on the grounds. While โinitial assessments of science facilities – including โฃstorerooms, prepโ rooms, breakโ rooms, and labs – returned negative โresults,โฃ anxieties persist among staff regarding potential long-term exposure. The investigationโ comesโข after a staff member,identified as Fabrizio,came forward โalleging a cover-up attempt and expressing feeling โ”absolutely” ignored when raising concerns.
According to Fabrizio, staff โคwereโฃ warned that discussingโ the asbestos discovery outside of the school would โคbe a breach of the code of conduct. “We need to keep this withinโ our community. It will be a code of conduct issue if this leaks,”โข sheโข recalls being โtold. The asbestos has since been removed from the school grounds.
Premier Minns has stated he is taking the matter seriously.โฃ “We’re โnot going to leave any stone unturned. I’ve asked questions personally,” he โsaid.
Fabrizio says her decision to speak out is motivated by a desire to protect others. “It’sโ about speaking up โขat work so other people don’t โขget hurt,” โฃsheโ stated. The NSWโฃ Health investigation aims to determine if there is a link between past or present exposure at the school and reported cancerโ casesโข among staff.
