Summary
Teachers may not seem like the most likely professionals to be at risk of workplace asbestos exposure. But because many schools were built in a period when asbestos was seen as a suitable insulation material, teachers were, and possibly still are, regularly exposed to asbestos.
Teachers Roles and Responsibilities
Teachers are responsible for teaching students, of course, so it seems somewhat unlikely that they would come into contact with asbestos during their careers. However, many teachers work in schools that are run-down or in need of repair, yet go above and beyond to keep their classrooms neat and tidy.
One teacher in the UK admitted to re-fitting ceiling tiles when they became loose to avoid the asbestos dust contaminating the classroom. This would have, hopefully, protected her students, but could have put the teacher herself at significant risk of inhaling the fibers.
School teachers are also responsible for the decoration of their classrooms to a certain extent. All display boards and walls are generally adorned with drawings and resources and pinned in place by the teachers themselves. Many pin boards in classrooms were made using asbestos as a binding ingredient, placing them in close contact with dangerous fibers.
Free Mesothelioma Justice Guide
Exposure to asbestos has led to thousands of mesothelioma diagnoses. If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the Mesothelioma Justice Guide will help you understand your rights and know the next steps.
Teachers and Asbestos Exposure
Before the 1980s, asbestos was seen as an ideal construction material, particularly for wall and ceiling insulation such as in schools. When the asbestos products were installed, they would have been stable. But 60 years later the material is likely now dry and friable.
While asbestos is not dangerous when intact, once the friable particles get old they can break off and become airborne. This means it’s easy for nearby teachers to inhale or ingest the harmful fibers, putting them at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma.
Millions of Teachers Exposed
An EPA survey from 1984 estimated that 15 million students and 1.4 million teachers and employees within 35,000 U.S. schools were exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. Sadly, many school districts have not yet taken the necessary precautions to abate asbestos contaminants from their properties.
Most asbestos was installed in schools between 1940-1980, meaning most buildings require renovation today.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates asbestos removal and requires all public and private schools be inspected every 3 years. If asbestos is found in the air, the source must either be removed or sealed to avoid releasing the harmful fibers.
Teachers and Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that occurs when particles of asbestos are inhaled and become embedded in the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen. Over time, asbestos fibers trigger mutations in healthy cells, which form into tumors that spread to distant sites. Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to control and it requires aggressive and comprehensive treatment plans.
Since 2001, 205 teachers in the UK have died from mesothelioma, though because this figure only includes those under the age of 75, the real number is estimated to be higher.
Access Asbestos Trust Funds
Compensation for treatment, loss of income and other damages is available through Asbestos Trust Funds. Mesothelioma patients and veterans with asbestos-related illnesses may qualify.
Compensation for Teachers
If you’re a teacher and believe that your mesothelioma diagnosis was due to occupational asbestos exposure throughout your teaching career, you may be eligible for compensation to cover medical expenses and a loss of income.
Contact our Justice Support Team today at (888) 360-4215 for more information on taking action. Or request our free Mesothelioma Justice Guide for in-depth information on legal compensation and treatment options for teachers with mesothelioma.