Teachers sue over fears of asbestos dust in schools
Published on Tue 26 Sep 2006
Eight teachers from the North East are preparing to sue their education authorities after they contracted asbestos related illnesses. The teachers believe they contracted the diseases from inhaling asbestos dust released after pinning the work of pupils to the classroom walls.
Meanwhile blackpooltoday.co.uk reports that teacher’s unions across the country are warning their members of the dangers of asbestos, with figures showing that 70 school teachers died of mesothelioma in the years between 1991 and 2000.
Ken Cridland, Fylde secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) said :
"By sticking drawing pins in walls, or using staple guns, it can break the seal releasing the fibres into the air.
"The warning has come as a shock to a lot of teachers. They don't realise the danger. The long-term effect is very frightening. With a lot of teachers, it is only diagnosed 20 years later. "
Asbestos was used extensively in building new schools up until the 1980’s when the dangers became better understood."If that is the case, what about all the children that have also been exposed? It is quite scary."
Tags: asbestos, remediation, COSHH, mesothelioma
