Recent reports show that ninety percent of all the schools in Manchester, England have tested positive for asbestos.

In Greater Manchester, 903 out of 1,043 schools contain traces of the deadly material, according to Liberal Democrat Paul Rowen. A similar number of schools all over the entire United Kingdom may be similarly affected. Rowen, the Rochdale MP, has promised to bring the nationwide asbestos crisis to the forefront of Parliament’s agenda, saying “Schools should be top of the council’s list of priorities when it comes to asbestos.”

About 13,000 of the country’s 25,000 schools were built between 1945 and 1974, a period when asbestos was commonly used in construction.

The Mirror, a UK publication, is currently conducting a campaign to raise awareness of asbestos and asbestos-related disease. The Mirror is campaigning for thousands of asbestos tests to be carried out all over the UK, and have the results delivered to teachers. It is vital that teachers know where the asbestos is located in their school, in order to avoid disturbing it and releasing lethal asbestos dust into the air.

The Mirror wants thousands of asbestos surveys to be carried out and be published so teachers - and other workers - know where it is and can avoid disturbing it which creates the danger of releasing lethal dust.

A total of 178 teachers died from mesothelioma, the lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos dust, between 1980 and 2005. Tragically, that number is rising.

National Union of Teachers representative Christine Blower said: “An employer must ensure buildings are safe and yet this appalling situation continues.”

Schools Minister Jim Knight said that now, more than ever, authorities must be prepared “to deal with asbestos once and for all.”

Here in the United States, asbestos products are often discovered in older school buildings, especially in urban areas where buildings often date back as many as one hundred years. Common asbestos-containing products include attic and piping insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, and roofing tiles.

Teachers and other staff, as well as parents of students, have the right to request a copy of the school district’s asbestos policy, which should be readily available to those who would like to view it. A thorough school asbestos policy should include information about any previous asbestos abatement in the building, as well as a plan of action should asbestos be located in the building.

Source:

Mirror UK

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