A recent online report released by Education Queensland has got parents and authorities worried, as it states that over a thousand classrooms across the country's Sunshine Coast could be exposing students and teachers to asbestos every day, thereby putting them at an increased risk of contracting dangerous conditions related to exposure to the material.

Over the past year, the report says that there have been 7448 "confirmed or presumed cases of asbestos" in state schools which are located in the area from Noosa to Caboolture. The statewide distressing number has been revealed to be 78,204.

50 schools across the Coast have reportedly recorded a high number of confirmed and presumed occurrences of asbestos related illnesses, while only 4 have been discovered to have none or very few cases. Every day, students and teachers all over the Coast are exposed to asbestos via lino flooring, walls, ceilings and roofs, all of which contain high amounts of the material.

"Asbestos presents an imminent danger to anyone using affected areas and its removal needs to be a priority. The problem with asbestos is that the effects are not immediate – they can take 30 years to develop", said Steve Morrison, the former President of the Nambour State High School Parents and Citizens Association.

Concerned parents are now urging the authorities to look into the matter more closely and take appropriate measures.