Dying teacher: Asbestos in schools will kill pupils

CHILDREN'S lives are at risk and an unknown number will die from cancer after being exposed to asbestos in schools, a terminally ill London teacher warned today.

Carole Hagedorn described how her mesothelioma, caused by exposure to asbestos in school buildings, left her feeling "like some sort of collateral damage in the education game".

She warned that the potentially lethal fibres can be released by pupils simply banging a door or window, or knocking on a classroom wall. Mrs Hagedorn, who taught French and German in secondary schools in Redbridge and Newham, decided to speak publicly to campaign for all asbestos to be removed from school buildings. She said: "It's better than sitting in a corner and crying."

The cancer takes decades to develop and there are fears that many pupils may be at risk.

"Children are thought to be much more susceptible than adults, though we probably won't know for another 20 or 30 years how many will already have contracted this cancer from exposure in schools," she said.

Asbestos is present in most schools, often in ceiling tiles, wall boards or insulation. Official policy is that most asbestos is being safely managed.

Mrs Hagedorn, 58, began her teaching career in 1974 but "did not expect to end it with an industrial disease".

"This cancer is incurable and virtually always inoperable, with a life expectancy from diagnosis of between six and 18 months.

"I am unhappy that the lack of proper asbestos control will end my life prematurely, like some sort of collateral damage or natural wastage in the education game. I have lost my teaching career and my lovely pupils have lost their teacher."

She said was trying not to think about the pain the illness will cause as it gets worse.

Mrs Hagedorn was speaking at the NASUWT teaching union's annual conference in Bournemouth as delegates discussed a planned campaign for the removal of asbestos from all schools and colleges by 2012.

Between 1991 and 2000 a total of 145 teachers died from asbestos-related diseases and children and staff are still being exposed, according to union delegates.

Health and safety chiefs have advised teachers not to pin children's work or posters to walls containing asbestos to minimise the risk of disturbing fibres.

A Department for Children spokesman said: "The health and welfare of pupils and staff is paramount. All major refurbishments carried out would normally include removal of all asbestos."