Asbestos in schools: thousands at risk

Deadly mineral continues to take its toll decades after ban

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The UK and Australia have the highest cases of asbestos-related cancer in the world
(Image credit: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

Nearly 700 state schools have been referred to the HSE by the Department for Education for potentially failing to safely manage asbestos in their buildings, putting thousands of pupils and staff at risk.

According to the National Union of Teachers, 319 teachers have died from mesothelioma since 1980. The Daily Telegraph says “it is estimated that for every teacher’s death, nine children will die, meaning over 100 people will die every year in the UK as a result of exposure when they were at school”.

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