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date: 27th July 2010

embargo: For immediate release

Cancelling school building programme puts children at risk of asbestos exposure

The TUC Asbestos Support and Campaign Group highlight today that one of the hidden consequences of the cancellation of the Building Schools for the Future Programme is a real and increased risk of children, teachers and support staff being exposed to asbestos fibres.

Many of the existing school buildings were built before 1970 and almost certainly contain asbestos. As these buildings fall into disrepair the risk of asbestos exposure increases dramatically. The teaching unions consider that total removal is the safest option. Many schools have spent little on maintenance in the promise of being part of the new schools building programme.

The number of teachers who have died from mesothelioma (cancer caused exclusively by asbestos) has increased by over 300% in the last twenty years. This is the tip of the iceberg.

Patricia Cameron, from Capheaton, Northumberland, died in 2004 from mesothelioma, after she was first exposed to asbestos while working at Otterburn First School in the 1970s. A Coroner's inquest heard the mother-of-three had levels of asbestos in her body similar to that found in people who have worked in heavy industry.

Children exposed to asbestos are five times more likely to develop mesothelioma than adult teachers in the same environment.

As public spending is being squeezed the Northern TUC Asbestos Campaign Group are calling for continued investment in school buildings to prevent asbestos exposure.

Kevin Rowan, Regional Secretary of the Northern TUC said: 'Many schools in the region are in a terrible state of disrepair. Teachers, governing bodies, pupils and parents have been waiting desperately for new building work to take place, to allow them to enjoy working and learning in a decent, safe and healthy environment. Now they continue to face risks of serious and potentially fatal hazards due to the lack of investment in the maintenance and improvement of their schools.

'The Government must make funds available now, to all schools who need it, to secure a better and safer environment for children, teachers and school staff alike.'

Mick Lyons National Executive Member of The Teacher's Union, NASUWT, for the North East said: 'Asbestos in schools is a ticking time-bomb. Over 190 colleagues have died through asbestos exposure across the country so far, with the unfortunate spectre of many more to come. Scrapping the BSF programme has left older schools - and those who have to spend time in them, extremely vulnerable. Schools are meant to be a place of security and education, not fear of ill-health and bringing the legacy of grave mistakes made pre-1970s into the 21^st century.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Northern TUC Asbestos Support and Campaign Group provides advice and guidance for victims of asbestos poisoning and their families, and has a base at Wallsend Peoples Centre. To contact them call: 0191 263 5029 or email asbestos@wallsendpc.org

The government's decision to stop the BSF programme has resulted in 99 schools throughout the northern region (6 in Cumbria, the remainder in the NE) not being able to go forward with a new build programme. A full breakdown and list is available.

For more information about asbestos in schools and the related campaign initiatives got to: www.asbestosexposureschools.co.uk

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Media contacts:

Susanne Nichol, Marketing and Communications T:0191 227 5553 M: 07771873108 E: snichol@tuc.org.uk

Northern TUC Regional Secretary, Kevin Rowan T: 0191 227 5550; M: 07766250074; E: krowan@tuc.org.uk

Mick Lyons, NASUWT National Executive Member for the North East: M:07855772495

E: fed-d900@nasuwt.net

Press release (700 words) issued 27 Jul 2010