"ASBESTOS KILLING SCHOOL STAFF"

Pupils and staff are at risk from poorly managed asbestos in schools, says a new report.

Three quarters of schools have asbestos within them, but the official government policy is to manage it rather than remove it.

More than 60 teachers are known to have died from the asbestos-related disease mesolthelioma between 2001 and 2005. Figures on support staff are not available because they are bundled with other local authority employees.

The report, from the Asbestos Training and Consultancy Association, says asbestos in schools is not being safely managed because schools haven't got the resources or training to do it properly.

It says, "Most school buildings contain asbestos. All of the asbestos material is old and where it has not been properly maintained, it is deteriorating. All types of asbestos can cause mesothelioma, however schools can contain large amounts of the more dangerous types. Numerous incidents have taken place where asbestos fibres have been released, the schools contaminated and teachers, support staff and pupils have been exposed. The increasing numbers of mesothelioma deaths amongst teachers and support staff is testament that the policy of management has failed."

Trade unions representing teachers and school support staff are demanding that asbestos is urgently removed from all schools.

Assessment of Asbestos Management in Schools
Asbestos in Schools campaign