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Morning Extra - The Investigation — Killer in the Classroom

Logo for Morning Extra - The Investigation — Killer in the Classroom

Ken MacDonald investigates the legacy of asbestos in our schools. Many parents are sending their children to school every day, unaware of the potential danger that lurks in school buildings. A legacy of the post-war 'build 'em quick' era, asbestos is found in two-thirds of schools across the UK and its condition is rapidly deteriorating. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) still denies that the risk is high. However, its most recent statistics show that, between 1980 and 2000 asbestos caused 182 deaths of workers in education, including 114 teachers. And if asbestos fibres have caused that many deaths in adults, how many of the UK's nine million schoolchildren have been — and will be — affected in the decades to come? Graham Stewart takes your calls, texts and emails.