- Covering the South East: London, Essex and Kent
Asbestos in schools is a crisis that’s been hiding in plain sight for decades. It’s a killer lurking in our classrooms, and yet hardly anyone is talking about it. Thousands of schools in the UK contain asbestos, and the lives of both teachers and students are at risk. The absolute horror is that this isn’t some far-off issue from the past—this is happening right now in the very buildings where children spend their days.
Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer. The worst part? It can take up to 60 years to show symptoms, which means the damage is done long before anyone knows it’s happening. I’m here to break it down for you. It’s time to face the facts about asbestos in schools.
Asbestos is a group of minerals used in construction for its fire-resistant and insulating properties. It was heavily used in the UK, especially during the building boom after World War II. What no one realised at the time is that asbestos is hazardous when disturbed.
The fibres are microscopic, and when they become airborne, they can be inhaled or swallowed. Once inside the body, these fibres can cause mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, heart, and abdomen. There’s no cure, and most people diagnosed with mesothelioma die within a year.
Now, imagine these fibres floating around your child’s classroom. That’s the reality in thousands of schools across the UK.
According to the Daily Mail, Roger Tweed, a 75-year-old former primary school headteacher, knows this danger all too well. He’s dying from mesothelioma. Roger spent his career reassuring parents and governors that their school was safe, even leading tours to show them that the asbestos was sealed and painted over. But the truth was, he didn’t know much about asbestos. He had no idea that the ceiling tiles and pinboards his students used every day were slowly releasing deadly fibres into the air.
Roger has come to terms with his illness. He knows he doesn’t have much time left. But what really keeps him up at night is thinking about his former students. “There are many more pupils than teachers,” he says, “and I fear they’ll be developing mesothelioma in the next 10 to 20 years.”
The Joint Union Asbestos Committee (JUAC) estimates that at least 1,400 teachers and school staff, along with 12,600 students, have already died from mesothelioma due to asbestos in schoolssince 1980. Even more alarming, they predict hundreds of thousands of future deaths. Why? Because the asbestos is still there. It’s in the walls, ceilings, and floors of schools that were built between the 1950s and 1990s. Many of these buildings are falling apart, releasing fibres into the air every time a pin is stuck into a wall, or a door is slammed.
The UK has the highest rate of mesothelioma in the world. Every year, more than 5,000 people die from asbestos-related diseases. Compare that to the number of deaths from car accidents—just over 1,500 a year. Yet, asbestos barely makes the news. Why? Because the symptoms don’t show up until decades later when it’s too late to stop them.
It’s not just the old school buildings that are the problem. Many schools built with a material called Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) also contain asbestos. These schools are at risk of collapse, and with asbestos present, the danger is magnified.
For decades, government policy has been to leave asbestos in place unless it becomes damaged. But with so many schools in a state of disrepair, this approach is failing. Asbestos isn’t something we can just ignore. It doesn’t get less dangerous over time. In fact, the longer it sits there, the greater the risk that it will become disturbed and release fibres into the air.
This isn’t just about schools—hospitals are affected, too. Once we know where the asbestos is, the government must launch a nationwide programme to safely remove it, starting with schools and hospitals.
There are over 32,000 schools in the UK, and those built before 1999 are likely to contain asbestos. Yet, there’s no official number of how many are affected. Freedom of information requests have revealed that at least 21,500 schools contain asbestos, but the actual number could be much higher.
The real tragedy is that teachers and students are more at risk than the general population. Studies have shown that teachers are five times more likely to develop mesothelioma than other workers. And for every teacher who dies from the disease, it’s estimated that nine students will follow.
Children are especially vulnerable to asbestos exposure. A report from the Committee on Carcinogenicity found that a child exposed at age five is five times likelier to develop mesothelioma than an adult exposed at age 30. This is because their bodies are still growing, and their lungs are more susceptible to the damage caused by asbestos fibres.
Despite these horrifying statistics, the government has done very little to address the problem. In 2015, a parliamentary inquiry described asbestos in schools as a “time bomb” waiting to go off. The investigation found that everyday activities in schools—like slamming doors or hanging up artwork—were releasing asbestos fibres into the air. Yet, the government continues to insist that as long as asbestos is in good condition, it’s safe to leave it alone.
In 2021, the Parliamentary Work and Pensions Committee recommended a 40-year plan to remove asbestos from all non-domestic buildings, starting with schools. They also called for a national register of asbestos-containing buildings. The government rejected both recommendations.
As a parent, you have the right to know if your child’s school contains asbestos. Schools are legally required to have an asbestos register, and you can ask to see it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what steps the school is taking to manage the risk. If the school doesn’t have a clear plan, or if the building is in poor condition, demand action. Your child’s safety depends on it.
It’s also worth joining with other parents to raise awareness of the issue. The more pressure we put on the government, the more likely they are to act. This isn’t a problem that will go away on its own. It requires immediate and decisive action.
Asbestos in schools is a national scandal that’s been ignored for too long. Teachers and students are dying because of it, and unless we take action, many more will follow. The government must create a national database of asbestos-containing buildings and launch a programme to remove the deadly material, starting with schools.
But until they do, it’s up to us—parents, teachers, and the public—to demand change. The lives of our children are at stake.
While the huge problem of asbestos is public buildings must be dealt with by the government and local authorities, schools, hospitals and community centres, libraries and other communal spaces are not the only places where asbestos is likely to be present. If your home was built before the 1990s, there is a high chance that it contains asbestos, and getting it checked is the responsibility of property owners and building managers. By getting your property inspected, you can ensure it is safe, prevent potential legal liabilities, and protect the health of everyone using the building.
AJC Environmental is a team of fully trained, experienced, and qualified asbestos management professionals. We specialise asbestos surveys and removal. We have over a decade of experience dealing with asbestos in all types of buildings in the London, Kent, and Essex.
We have over 10 years’ experience which makes us one of the most competent asbestos companies in the UK.
We offer a one-stop comprehensive service for asbestos surveying, followed by safe asbestos removal and disposal when necessary. Our asbestos services cover residential, commercial, and industrial properties across the Southeast.
A professional asbestos survey ensures the safety of everyone in the building by identifying harmful asbestos fibres, which can cause fatal diseases like mesothelioma if inhaled.
If you plan to renovate or demolish part of the building, an asbestos survey ensures the project can proceed safely without disturbing dangerous materials.
Professionals can accurately locate asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within a building, ensuring no hazardous areas are overlooked.
An asbestos survey helps building owners meet legal obligations under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, avoiding potential fines or legal consequences.
A professional survey allows for the creation of a customised management plan, ensuring that asbestos in the building is safely monitored and controlled over time.
Properly identifying and managing asbestos reduces environmental contamination, helping to prevent asbestos fibres from spreading into the surrounding area.
Contact AJC Environmental through this link. We will ask about your building, its age, and why you want a survey. This helps us understand your needs and we can recommend the right type of survey.
Once we have your details, we will schedule a survey. There are different types of asbestos surveys, including management surveys (for regular use of the building) or refurbishment/demolition surveys (for renovation or demolition projects).
Our team of qualified asbestos surveyors will visit your property. We’ll inspect areas where asbestos might be present, taking samples of suspected materials. The process is conducted with minimal disruption to occupants.
The samples are sent to a specialist laboratory for analysis. This decides whether asbestos is present, what type it is, and the condition of the materials.
You’ll receive a detailed report outlining the location, type, and condition of any asbestos found. The report will include recommendations on what actions to take, such as monitoring the asbestos or removing it if it poses a risk.
Based on the survey results, you must decide between managing the asbestos in place or arranging for its safe removal. Asbestos in good condition can often be safely managed with regular monitoring, while damaged or deteriorating asbestos may need removal.
If you choose to manage the asbestos, we will create a management plan. This ensures that the asbestos is monitored, remains undisturbed, and is safe for building occupants.
If removal is necessary, we will arrange for removal using our licensed asbestos removal contractor. We follow strict safety procedures to remove and dispose of the asbestos in compliance with UK regulations.
After removal, the area will be inspected and tested to ensure that all asbestos fibres have been safely removed and that the building is safe to use.
Regular inspections and monitoring are essential if asbestos is managed rather than removed. Your asbestos management plan will include instructions for future checks to ensure the asbestos remains in good condition.
