Barnens gård preschool on Lindö in Kalmar was abruptly closed on Thursday after asbestos was discovered in damaged pipes in the building's basement. Approximately 60 children and all staff were relocated to other educational facilities as a precautionary measure.
According to reports, the asbestos was found in broken pipes that could have spread the hazardous material through the preschool's premises. The discovery was made by an employee from Kalmar municipality's property service department.
a pure precautionary measure
Gunilla Svensson, property manager for Kalmar municipality, described the closure as "a pure precautionary measure." The preschool's principal, Mats Carnesten, told SVT that the risk of children or staff having been exposed is "very small," but authorities decided to err on the side of caution.
The affected children and staff were divided between two locations: half were moved to Tallen preschool at Tallhagsskolan and half to Lindöskolan. Carnesten emphasized that children had not been near the damaged pipes.
very small
Test results to determine the extent of any contamination are expected next week. Until then, the relocated groups will remain at their temporary facilities. Barnens gård consists of four preschool departments and serves the Lindö area of Kalmar.
children had not been near the damaged pipes