COUNCIL officials are setting up a £250,000 project to investigate the amount of asbestos in County Durham's public buildings.
Durham County Council has set aside £100,000 to create a Corporate Asbestos Team with a £150,000 budget. The council's corporate strategy and budget sub-committee is expected to approve the two-year survey.
A council spokesman said: "The problem is that asbestos was used to line building material when many of the council's building stock were constructed. It is a known fact that it does not present a health hazard unless it is disturbed. When you go in to carry out repairs or maintenance it can present problems.
"Our survey hopes to identify those buildings where it is present so that when we do go in we know what measures we need to avoid it and ensure the safety of residents and the workers."
Aycliffe county councillor Tony Moor said: "The Government should give us the money for this rather than letting it come out of our budget. It is more than just a budget issue, it is a national issue."
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