Today, out of 33,600 schools in Britain, 75% still contain asbestos. Within the last 10 years, 140 schools teachers have died from Mesothelioma. In the US, for every one teacher who has passed from Mesothelioma, 9 children will follow, for the UK this would mean over 100 people dying from asbestos exposure at school… [1]
These shocking numbers show the real extent of this problem. A place where we go to learn, feel safe and can trust the environment. However schools built between the 1950’s and 1980’s pose a significant risk to teachers and children alike.
The most delicate forms of asbestos that were used within schools were sprayed asbestos, external pipe lagging, insulation boards, on classroom ceilings, walls, window and door surroundings…the list could go on.
Asbestos Compliance Investigation in Schools
In June 2014, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) led an investigation into the levels of asbestos in schools between 2013 and 2014. The aim of the investigation was to identify the number of schools complying with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Their sample size consisted of 153 schools within England, Scotland and Wales. The investigation resulted in 44 schools (29%) receiving written advice on the asbestos levels in their school, and 20 schools (13%) receiving enforced improvement notices. [2]
Effects of Asbestos on Teachers
In 2004, school teachers were eighth on a list of highest rates of mesothelioma deaths. However 2013 HSE statistics have shown that during 2002 and 2010, there were 191 male and females teachers, aged 16-72, teachers who died from mesothelioma.[3]
A study in 1987 showed that a door slammed only 5 times could already release asbestos fibres. Other common classroom activities that unknowingly contributed to asbestos fibre releases include pinning children’s work on the walls and taking books out from the bookshelf.
“As the asbestos materials deteriorate the number of school teachers dying from Mesothelioma has increased, from three a year in the 1980s to 16 a year in the latest period. More than 228 school teachers have died of Mesothelioma since 1980, with 140 dying in the last ten years. School caretakers, cleaners, cooks, secretaries, teaching assistants and nursery nurses have also died of the cancer.” – [1]
Michael Leese has been, and still is, a prominent figure in the fight against asbestos in schools. His wife, Gina was a nursery school teacher and sadly passed away from Mesothelioma in 2000 at the age of only 51. Gina was an art teacher and used to pin her pupils’ art on the wall. This put her immediately at risk of exposure as the walls were made of asbestos. Michael spoke to ITV Daybreak in 2013 about his view of asbestos at schools.
Source: ITV.com, Campaign group: Industrial disease could kill children
At this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2014, Michael Lees was awarded an MBE for services to the well being of children and teachers[3]. The death of his wife caused him to fight tirelessly to raise awareness of asbestos in schools and the dangers that this will cause to both teachers and pupils.
Michael is one of the founding members of Asbestos in Schools Group (AiS) and currently works alongside the Joint Uniun Asbestos Committee (JUAC).
Visit Michael’s website to find out more including a simple school asbestos check list for parents: Asbestos in Schools
Asbestos Exposure Stories
Multiple Exposure – Factory and School
Having worked in a textile factory in her teenage years, Penny Garner would never have suspected that she would develop mesothelioma. Aged 46 having battled with the disease for 3 years, she sadly died.
A lung cancer specialist at the inquest found that she may have been exposed to asbestos fibres at several places including the textile factory and also her former school.
He explained that for someone of her age, Penny’s lungs were very healthy and so this was a rare case as the majority of mesothelioma sufferers begin to develop the disease in their later years.
Woodwork Teacher
A teacher who worked at a school for 15 years developed mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos. He was a woodwork teacher in the 1970’s and did not realise that the dust in the air around his classroom could be deadly.
He began with problems in his early 50’s which became significantly worse and was diagnosed with mesothelioma in late 2013. Sadly passed away a few months later.
The onset of the disease can be some 30 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos fibres but once it develops, whilst the cancer symptoms can be eased, it will ultimately claim the lives of their victims.
If you or a family member are suffering from an asbestos disease, contact Asbestos Justice on 0800 038 6767 for expert legal advice.
Sources
[1] All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Health and Safety – UCU Asbestos in Schools Report
[2] Asbestos Compliance in non-LA Managed Schools – Health and Safety Executive 2014
[3] Mesothelioma Occupation Statistics – Health and Safety Executive 2013
[4] Voice the Union – MBE for asbestos campaigner