Greenpeace has identified stones showing signs of asbestos near 19 educational sites in Burgenland, two in Styria, and one in Lower Austria. Lab results confirmed asbestos in a stone wall in Rechnitz and in dust at a new parking lot at Campus Stegersbach.
Spokesperson Stefan Stadler noted that a local woman reported 11 of these sites. Task force head Hans-Peter Hutter stated that while materials in walls or asphalt are not inherently dangerous, health hazards arise if fibers are released by mechanical stress.
Greenpeace is now calling for Chancellor Christian Stocker to establish an asbestos remediation fund. The education directorate will inform school operators of the findings to ensure safety, as the investigation continues into the confirmed dust samples.