Tests have shown the asbestos found in the insulation of the Willowdale Child Care and Learning Centre poses a “very low” risk to the health of children and employees there.
“The results were very pleasing,” Wellington County Warden Chris White said of air quality testing completed last week by Stantec Consulting.
The centre, which is owned by the Guelph but operated by the county, was closed on Nov. 1 after a test confirmed that insulation around a door frame contained asbestos from the Libby Mine in the United States. That type of asbestos is particularly toxic if it gets into the air and has been known to cause cancer.
The county immediately evacuated the school and sent children and staff to the nearby Family Gateway facility last week.
The county and Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health unit hosted two public meetings on Nov. 8 to update parents and to answer questions about the asbestos and the air quality test results.
Health Unit officials were to address health-related questions, the county was to answer child care inquiries and the City of Guelph dealt with building-related questions.
“The results of the air quality testing would support the risk to those who have worked and occupied this space is very low,” said Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health.
Public Health has also set up an information hotline (519-846-2715 extension 2673) for those with health questions.
Despite the favourable air quality test results, White told the Advertiser the centre remains closed, pending approval to re-open from various ministries and health officials.
Calling the situation “a nightmare” for working parents who need a place for their children during the day, White said the county is hoping to have an alternative location available by the end of this week.
“The county continues to work hard to resolve child care issues with the parents. A child care centre will be set up as soon as possible,” he said.
White explained the county hopes to use a former dance studio building at 58 Dawson Road.
The warden added the county will continue to release information about the situation as it becomes available.
