Asbestos Britain

The number of deaths as a result of asbestos related diseases has increased significantly and figures are expected to climb even further as more sites and public areas are found consisting of the deadly material.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently issued 26 notices to contractors in Teeside after inspecting risks related to exposure of asbestos, safe working at heights and good order on site, at 58 sites in the region.

Principal inspector with HSE's Construction Division based at Newcastle upon Tyne Rob Hirst said: "We continue to find a number of sites where dangerous practices are accepted by those in control of the site and inspectors had to take formal enforcement action."

However, asbestos is now being found in a number of places, including in the windows of London's up-market shopping store, Selfridges and also in our local schools.

Asbestos in schools

A recent campaign by the Daily Mirror has found that 90 per cent of Britain's schools contain asbestos.

According to the research, 2,917 out of 3,286 schools in over a dozen councils had been built using asbestos causing 178 teachers to die between 1980 and 2005 because of the asbestos related lung disease- mesothelioma.

However, according to figures, the number of deaths because of the disease is increasing.

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers said: "For every teacher who may have been exposed to asbestos, up to 30 children have probably been similarly exposed."

She added that "Because asbestos-related illnesses take between 15 to 60 years to develop it is impossible to know how many will become ill or die as a result of exposure."

Not only has asbestos been found in schools, it has also been found on the new 2012 Olympic site in Stratford and even in the window displays of London's department store, Selfridges.

As a result, the Daily Mirror is running a campaign for a national list of public buildings that contain asbestos to ensure people are protected.

Daily Mirror Campaign

The campaign, which is supported by UK's leading teaching unions, aims to file a national register of public buildings which consist of asbestos and aims to aid teachers and workers at risk of the disease with knowledge of how they can protect themselves.

Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, a teaching union said: "Asbestos is a huge risk in schools and teachers are often unaware it is there.

We would be very supportive of a national register."

The Mirror is calling for a £10 million National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases to find a cure and better treatment for sufferers.

It is also calling for fair and equal compensation for those who are unable to trace their bosses' insurers, to be funded through the Employers' Liability Insurance Bureau, as well as compensation for victims of "pleural plaques" or scars on the lungs due to asbestos.

Dr Bousted added: "We support the Mirror's campaign to get all the surveys on asbestos in schools published and freely available to everyone.

The health of thousands of young people and those working in education are far too precious to be swept under the carpet any longer."

Because of the increased awareness in asbestos related diseases along with the Daily Mirrors findings, the number of no win no fee compensation claims filed because of asbestos related diseases are expected to soar.