According to recent reports from the BBC, as many as 9 out of 10 schools could include traces or large amounts of asbestos within them – higher than previous official estimates.
Asbestos was a building materials used commonly in the 1960s and 1970s, before being banned in the UK in 1999 after it was found to be harmful to those who came into contact with it, linking to a number on late onset lung diseases. Unlike airborne viruses or bacteria, it is a safe material if left completely undisturbed, however if a wall containing asbestos is knocked down, or damaged, and the fibres are allowed to float freely into the air.
There have been calls for urgent action, in removing any traces of asbestos from schools, in a bid to make them safer. It has been medically proven that despite taking many years to develop, the symptoms of asbestos exposure include lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural thickening.
Because of how widely used asbestos was in it’s prime, it can often be difficult to tell just how much asbestos is present in our schools, since it was a key component in cement, coatings, floor tiles, ceiling and floor cavities, insulating boards and even roof shingles.
See also: 6 Things You Need To Know About Asbestos
If you’re unsure about whether your school or premises might include asbestos, or want advice on how to deal with the problem, we can help.
Our licensed professional, fully UKAS accredited, asbestos experts can work with your school or business to test any size and type of building for asbestos, and provide comprehensive documentation, removal or advice on maintaining and mitigating the risk.
Get an instant Asbestos Removal, Surveys and Testing quote today!
