Sussex teacher died after asbestos exposure in science labs (From The Argus)

I used to work in a large East Sussex school and have witnessed holes in asbestos ceilings with a draught coming through them. Think of the amount of fibres getting dumped into the classroom with that. East Sussex know that most of their schools are absolutely riddled with the stuff and the old "its ok as long as you don't disturb it" simply isn't good enough. Kids knocks holes in the stuff, teachers stick pins in it, contractors disturb it etc etc. ESCC could find itself bankrupt if its not careful. Parents would freak if they knew half of what goes on.

My father died of mesothelioma (cancer caused by asbestos exposure) - I'm of the belief that money doesn't replace a human life. I don't understand why people pursue these claims, it's all a bit sick to me. That's just my opinion though.

What about the pupils?!!?

Another scaremonger report regarding asbestos.

Up until the mid 1980's almost every building you entered had at least some form of asbestos in it. It's not just schools.

I imagine the building that your all in at the moment, or that you work in, has asbestos somewhere. Lagging around pipework, around the boiler, behind your fuse box, in your (old) cookers, insulation in the loft, soffits, old fire doors, wall boards, ceiling tiles. It's everywhere.

And, if anyone is to blame for such deaths, then surely it's the government. They knew the dangers but didn't publicise it to those coming into primary contact with it, as the mineral has miracle properties! They took the 'brush it under the carpet' approach and now millions of pounds gets paid out in compensation.

Bob100 wrote:
Another scaremonger report regarding asbestos. Up until the mid 1980's almost every building you entered had at least some form of asbestos in it. It's not just schools. I imagine the building that your all in at the moment, or that you work in, has asbestos somewhere. Lagging around pipework, around the boiler, behind your fuse box, in your (old) cookers, insulation in the loft, soffits, old fire doors, wall boards, ceiling tiles. It's everywhere. And, if anyone is to blame for such deaths, then surely it's the government. They knew the dangers but didn't publicise it to those coming into primary contact with it, as the mineral has miracle properties! They took the 'brush it under the carpet' approach and now millions of pounds gets paid out in compensation.

Scaremongering? Well to be honest I'm slightly worried about my long term health prospects given that >I KNOW< I've been exposed to it because of the slapdash asbestos management practices of ESCC. The Asbestos Register which every school is supposed to have was so out of date and innacurate it was not worth the paper it was written on. Basically ESCC (and almost every other council) have been criminally negligent and are now paddling like mad to cover their respective rear ends.

Very sad, you don't expect your employers to kill you. Not unless you are a diamond miner in some under developed country

wardth wrote:

Bob100 wrote: Another scaremonger report regarding asbestos. Up until the mid 1980's almost every building you entered had at least some form of asbestos in it. It's not just schools. I imagine the building that your all in at the moment, or that you work in, has asbestos somewhere. Lagging around pipework, around the boiler, behind your fuse box, in your (old) cookers, insulation in the loft, soffits, old fire doors, wall boards, ceiling tiles. It's everywhere. And, if anyone is to blame for such deaths, then surely it's the government. They knew the dangers but didn't publicise it to those coming into primary contact with it, as the mineral has miracle properties! They took the 'brush it under the carpet' approach and now millions of pounds gets paid out in compensation.

Scaremongering? Well to be honest I'm slightly worried about my long term health prospects given that &gt;I KNOW&lt; I've been exposed to it because of the slapdash asbestos management practices of ESCC. The Asbestos Register which every school is supposed to have was so out of date and innacurate it was not worth the paper it was written on. Basically ESCC (and almost every other council) have been criminally negligent and are now paddling like mad to cover their respective rear ends.

My advice would be to get to your Doctors and insist upon a CT scan. If you mention asbestos exposure, they'll give you one.

Even if you don't have mesothelioma or asbestosis (both of which are highly unlikely), such a scan will be able to tell of any repiratory disability and at least put your mind at rest.

Not everyone, by a long way, who comes into contact with asbestos develops a related condition.

I'm sure this poor woman would much rather have her husband by her side than the compensation, but it will help to ease the financial burden of being left alone so suddenly and tragically.
What I find equally tragic is that some people on here feel they have to turn every story into personal vendettas and make peurile comments.

Up until the mid 1980's almost every building you entered had at least some form of asbestos in it. It's not just schools.


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Artexed ceilings are a great place to find traces of asbestos.

jo w wrote:
My father died of mesothelioma (cancer caused by asbestos exposure) - I'm of the belief that money doesn't replace a human life. I don't understand why people pursue these claims, it's all a bit sick to me. That's just my opinion though.

Because the money represents the lump sum and pension he would have received if he had lived to 75 after retirement.

While no sum can bring back or replace a loved one, £290000 is an insult. Compensation for this kind of case should be £1000000+ as it would be in the US.