British teachers’ union calls for removal of asbestos from all schools to prevent mesothelioma among teachers and students
The UK’s National Union of Teachers has taken the position that any asbestos poses a clear risk to students and teachers and it should be removed from all schools. Union documents declare that inadequate maintenance and high incidence of vandalism make schools particularly vulnerable to asbestos being disturbed and released into the air. Some teachers have died from mesothelioma, and students face an even higher risk of developing the disease because they are young at the time of exposure and will live long enough for the disease to manifest despite its long latency period. Mesothelioma, a particularly virulent asbestos-related cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart, can take decades to develop. The union wants all asbestos removed, even when it appears to be effectively sealed, because its location may be forgotten or its condition deteriorate, leading to asbestos exposures. Southern Ireland has undertaken, and nearly completed, a complete removal of asbestos in its schools. Moreover, asbestos-containing products cannot be identified by visual surveys alone; instead, sampling and air testing is required to identify all asbestos.
