United Kingdom - A surge in recent mesothelioma lung cancer cases among teachers and health care professionals has prompted campaigners to request a national database listing all public buildings that contain asbestos.
The organization is campaigning on behalf of workers who may be exposed to asbestos on the job without being aware of the danger. Many hospitals and schools were built in the years prior to asbestos's ban when the use of the fire retardant product was at its height.
These buildings could contain dangerous levels of the mineral and may pose a serious risk to those who work within their doors.
The National Union of Teachers and UCATT (an organization representing construction workers) have called for a survey of all public buildings by the central government. In addition, the group wants all dangerous materials removed.
The general secretary of Ucatt, Alan Ritchie stated: "Every time someone drills into a wall they could be potentially risking their long term health."
Asbestos is a known killer of skilled tradesmen who work in factories where the dangerous mineral is in abundance, however, the new cases of malignant mesothelioma in professionals raise the question of possible danger in low levels of exposure.
David Cass, solicitor who often represents asbestos victims said "It used to be a disease that primarily targeted old men - the skilled labourers and tradesmen who cut through asbestos boards and installed lagging," he said. "Now people are coming to us who have been exposed in much less obvious places." He added: "We often find ourselves representing doctors, nurses and teachers."
The Health and Safety Executive, a group in charge of workplace safety for the public, has resisted forming the national database saying it is "prohibitively expensive" and may not stop asbestos-related illness. Through Freedom of Information requests individuals may obtain information on public buildings that contain asbestos but many feel this is not enough.
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