Trade unions in the United Kingdom have confirmed that they are working with one of the country’s leading cancer experts on a study that examines asbestos exposure in female teachers after indications of an elevated risk of mesothelioma were detected.
Official data from the country’s workplace health and safety regulator, the Health and Safety Executive or HSE, shows a 40% increased mesothelioma rate in former female teachers born between 1935 and 1954.
Statisticians have now detected an increased rate of mesothelioma deaths that they say “borders on statistical significance” among teachers born between 1955 and 1974. Professor Julian Peto, who has studied mesothelioma prevalence, will work with unions on the proposed study, which will look at teachers who have had surgery on their lungs and study lung samples from those procedures.
“Most teachers born since 1955 began work after the 1970s – when asbestos was no longer being installed in schools – so their exposures were from the asbestos already installed, much of which is still there,” Peto said. “The question is what the continuing risk is, and what should be done to reduce it.
“The updated data for 2011-2020 now shows an excess in female teachers born 1955-74 (19 mesothelioma deaths, versus 12.3 expected), which borders on statistical significance, although the numbers are still too small to give a reliable estimate of the continuing risk. We would like to study this important question. The lifetime mesothelioma risk can be predicted from these asbestos levels in the lungs.”
Despite a nationwide ban in 1999, asbestos’ significant historical use from the 1950s to the 1980s means that many schools in the country still contain the material. A survey conducted in 2019 found that more than 80% of schools that participated said their school estate contained asbestos.
The United Kingdom’s government’s approach to asbestos management in schools is essentially one of keeping asbestos in place and monitoring for safety management rather than removing it, which it says may increase the risk of exposure.
An HSE spokesperson said: “We understand the concern about asbestos in school buildings. Risk of exposure is low as long as schools follow the regulations and have the right measures in place. We provide clear guidance to those who manage buildings that contain asbestos, and our current inspection campaign is checking that schools have the right steps in place and are following the law.”
Of the research project, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “This research is vitally important. We believe it will establish once and for all the risk asbestos in school buildings poses to the health of teachers, support staff and children. We hope the results will convince the government of the urgent need for an independent review of current policy, which is to manage rather than remove asbestos.”