Mesothelioma: We must protect our teachers from any hidden dangers

Mesothelioma dangers in the classroom

BEHIND every statistic we read about mesothelioma there lies a story – the story of another life lost from prolonged exposure to asbestos.

Sadly, over the years it’s a story that has become all too familiar. Despite being banned in the UK more than 20 years ago, asbestos is still all around us – in many old factories, office buildings and even in our schools.

Acorn Analytical Services has always taken its responsibility around raising awareness of the devastating effects of asbestos very seriously and last year, we launched a campaign aimed at highlighting the dangers of asbestos in our schools.

To mark World Teacher’s Day 2022, we’re returning to the classroom to find out just how much has changed.

Asbestos in our schools – the story so far

In the post war boom of the 1950s and 1960s, asbestos was an everyday product.

Cheap and fire retardant, it was used in a whole host of buildings at a time when new homes and infrastructure like factories and schools needed to be built quickly.

By the 1970s alarm bells had started ringing. It soon became clear that there was a direct link between the increase in the number of deaths from lung cancer and the use of asbestos. Even then, it would be another 20 years before the use of asbestos was banned in the UK.

According to Cancer Research UK, there are around 2,700 new cases of mesothelioma each year in the UK and 2,394 deaths. Many of these deaths can be linked back to exposure in the 1950s and 1960s, particularly among men who worked in the construction industry. The overwhelming majority of these deaths could have been prevented.

But it is the statistics around the deaths of teachers from mesothelioma which are particularly shocking. The UK has one of the highest death rates among teachers from mesothelioma in the world. In 2017 alone, 17 teachers died.

In 2021, working alongside people like Michael Lees, whose wife Gina, a primary school teacher, died from mesothelioma in 2000, we lobbied MPs to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos at the very highest level.

We targeted schools in Birmingham, encouraging headteachers there to take advantage of free asbestos audits and we worked with charities, including Mesothelioma UK to raise vital awareness.

What is the situation now?

It is our view that the problem of asbestos in schools has been overlooked for far too long.

A lack of funding in schools is only making the problem worse and potentially storing up even more problems for the future.

There is, however, a glimmer of hope.

Last month, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced that it would be conducting an inspection of primary and secondary schools to assess each school’s individual risk.

While this is, without doubt, an important step forward we believe much more needs to be done.

In our opinion, the only way to alleviate the risk completely is by ensuring any school built before 2000 is given a full asbestos audit and, where asbestos is found, a phased removal plan is put in place.

Our teachers, who work tirelessly to give our children the very best education possible deserve it. Our children deserve it. And we will not rest until the job is done.

Acorn is a professional asbestos consultancy helping organisations deal with asbestos compliance using asbestos surveysasbestos air testing, and asbestos removal management. 

Please call one of the team, or use the online form to obtain your free quotation. If you would like further information or advice on asbestos and asbestos training, contact the team on 0844 818 0895 or Contact Us

Ian Stone

I am based out of our Northampton office but regularly travel to meet with new and existing clients. I have assisted thousands of clients over the years on varying-sized projects, several have been schemes totalling over one million pounds spent purely on asbestos. Together with Neil Munro, I host our weekly podcast – Asbestos Knowledge Empire and I am Co-author of Asbestos The Dark Arts and Fear and Loathing of Health and Safety.

Need Help? Request a Call Back

Request a call back from one of our expert Asbestos Consultants who will help you identify what you need

More Asbestos Articles

Asbestos isn't a headache with the Acorn Compliance Antidote

Asbestos isn’t a problem with the Acorn Compliance Antidote

AT Acorn Analytical Services we’re probably best known for the work we do supporting businesses with asbestos surveys and asbestos management. But did you also know that we offer a full package of health and safety services through our Acorn Compliance Antidote? The antidote is the perfect way to get all your health and safety … Read more

Asbestos consultancy celebrates the opening of new regional office

Asbestos company celebrates the opening of new regional office in Wolverhampton

EARLIER this month the team at Acorn Analytical Services was delighted to welcome the Deputy Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre and the Deputy Mayoress, Lynn Plant to the opening of our new asbestos management office in Wolverhampton. It was a very proud day for regional manager, Lewis Scott and his team, and Acorn’s … Read more

Emma Gooding, one of our women in construction

Women in Construction: Highlighting the work of two incredible women at the heart of our team

HIGHLY-SKILLED, talented women in construction are right at the heart of Acorn Analytical Services’ success, taking on key roles within our business and leading the fight against the UK’s asbestos epidemic. In recent years, many more women in construction have chosen to take on roles within the asbestos industry and at Acorn we do everything … Read more

Asbestos Book

Asbestos: The Dark Arts – essential reading for anyone involved in health and safety this World Book Day

AS well as being part of one of the UK’s leading asbestos consultancies, Acorn Analytical Services’ directors Ian Stone and Neil Munro have also written best-selling books on asbestos and health and safety. The books, which include their five-star rated title Asbestos: The Dark Arts, have quickly become essential reading to anyone involved in facilities … Read more

Asbestos bitesize training sessions for you and your business

Asbestos: Free bitesize sessions from the experts at Acorn will help keep your team protected from this hidden killer

IT may have been banned from new buildings more than 20 years ago but asbestos still poses a huge threat to the health and wellbeing of our society. Thousands of buildings – including many schools – still contain asbestos which can go on to cause deadly cancer if it is damaged or disturbed releasing microscopic … Read more

Asbestos analyst Jake is a shining star

Asbestos analyst Jake is a shining example of how apprenticeships can be a huge success for everyone

IT’S National Apprenticeship Week and what better way to celebrate than by shining the spotlight on asbestos analyst, Jake Newell. Jake joined Acorn Analytical Services as an apprentice in 2021 and since then he has completed his training, shown outstanding commitment and dedication to his role and been recognised for his efforts by winning – … Read more

2022 - A big year in the fight against asbestos

2022: A big year for Acorn Analytical Services in the fight against a hidden killer

2022 was a big year for the team of experts at multi award-winning asbestos management consultancy, Acorn Analytical Services. It was a year which saw the business grow and develop, we took on new staff and we helped support businesses, charities and organisations right across the UK by helping to manage their asbestos and raise … Read more

Asbestos awareness: Education is key

Asbestos awareness: ‘Educating the public is key’

WHEN it comes to raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos, education and training are absolutely key. With so much advice out there, it can be difficult to know where to turn for information you can trust and training which is tailored to suit your individual needs. To mark national Day of Education, the team … Read more

Asbestos is a big problem on the high street

Asbestos on the high street continues to dominate the headlines

The headlines have once again been dominated this week by stories of high street premises which have been affected by asbestos. In November, Acorn Analytical Services shone a spotlight on the growing epidemic in towns and cities across the UK and urged companies and shop owners to put the safety of their staff and customers … Read more

Reducing asbestos in schools should be a clear priority

‘Reducing asbestos in schools should be our first priority’

FOR many years the team at Acorn Analytical Services has been calling for full asbestos risk assessments to be carried out in schools right across the UK. With many schools having been built during the post-war period when the use of asbestos was at its highest, we fear that many school buildings still contain the … Read more