Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001913/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Galato Alexandraki (ECR)
Despite the extraction and use of asbestos having been banned in the EU for almost 25 years, thousands of public buildings containing this dangerous material are still in use in Greece, as confirmed by recent incidents. Recently, asbestos was found in the Faculty of Philosophy of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, while shortly afterwards chrysotile (‘white’ asbestos) was found in a primary school in Rhodes. According to claims from students and teachers, the existence of asbestos is discovered by chance, without prior systematic checks, while removal is carried out piecemeal, putting the health of pupils, students and employees at ongoing risk.
At the same time, there are still reports of hundreds of public buildings with asbestos in ceilings, insulation or tiles, while removal procedures seem to be delayed due to lack of funding and planning, and this constitutes a serious shortcoming in prevention in public health matters.
In view of the above:
- 1.How and by when should asbestos be completely removed from public buildings in Greece in accordance with EU directives? Has this been checked by the Commission?
- 2.Are there financial tools and technical support from the EU that can be used to accelerate the control and replacement procedures?
Submitted: 13.5.2025