Asbestos in British Schools

Asbestos is a subject usually reserved for industry but alarming reports have shown that 75% of schools contain the hazardous building material. These results have made many people call for asbestos to be removed for the safety of teachers and pupils.

Over 140 teachers have contracted mesothelioma and died in the past decade with this number sure to rise due to the long time it can take for the disease to take toll. It is said that for every teacher who dies from asbestosis 9 pupils will die.

The situation has been described as a "national scandal"

Asbestos was heavily used from the 1950's right up to the 90s. It is believed just to become dangerous when broke up or disturbed. Suffers were mainly confined to industrial jobs such as plumbers, carpenters, ship builders and so on but it is a worrying sign that teachers who do not come into direct contact with the material are dying from asbestos related diseases.

Jim Sheridan Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health's chairman was quoted: "This is a national scandal.

"Urgent action is needed to prevent more pupils, teachers and other staff being exposed to this deadly killer dust.

"We need both far greater awareness of the risks that this material poses and a programme for its phased removal."

Asbestos will always be a subject of great debate until it is all removed and people people cease to contract and die from the disease. Unfortunately with the large time difference from exposure and asbestosis symptoms showing this will be many years away.

If you have been effected by abestosis or any asbestos related illness clcik here