MONTREAL - John F. Kennedy High School and Business School in Saint-Michel will be closed Thursday and Friday following the discovery of traces of asbestos.
The English Montreal School board made the announcement Wednesday evening, saying the closure was a precautionary measure while air quality testing is conducted in the building.
A press release stated that traces of asbestos were found in two ventilation rooms in the facility approximately three weeks ago.
The material was removed and air quality was tested. The treated rooms were deemed safe.
Precautionary tests also took place in other parts of the building, where traces of asbestos were found.
Experts have been called to conduct air quality testing in those areas.
"Our board has previous experience in dealing with asbestos," says EMSB Chairman Angela Mancini in a press release. "Our staff is vigilant and it is our position not to take any chances once it is discovered. We will be working with Santé Publique and taking every precaution necessary before students and staff are allowed to return to the building."
In February, Montreal environmentalist Daniel Green revealed a list of more than 280 public buildings that contain asbestos, and said he felt the government should compile an asbestos registry to provide Quebecers with information about current and past asbestos levels.
The EMSB at the time said it had a policy to make that information public.
