Asbestos News

Officials at a UK school recently admitted that the structure contains asbestos but maintained that the substance was not a threat to students and staff.

People with the Stockton Council told parents that their children were not at risk at the Ian Ramsey Church of England School, reports the Evening Gazette. In addition, the news source reports that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Britain's workplace safety authority, said that as long as the asbestos was managed properly, no one would be in harm's way.

The correct management of asbestos in schools is essential because if students or staff are exposed to the naturally occurring mineral, which was once used as a flame retardant and insulator, they can develop a number of serious diseases like malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

Asbestos isn't the only problem reportedly affecting the school. The news source reports that students had to be moved to temporary classrooms because of concerns over the structure of one of the school buildings.

"Temporary repairs were carried out as a precautionary measure on the understanding that more substantial repairs or replacement would be undertaken in due course," a council spokesman told the news source.