아래 내용은 7월 2일자 영국 Mailonline 기사입니다.
영국에서는 지난 40년간 10,000명의 교직원과 학생이 학교 내 석면 노출에 따른 질환으로 사망했으며 여전히 21,500개의 학교에 석면 자재가 상존하고 있다고 합니다.
-------------------------------------------------------
Classroom asbestos has reportedly killed 10,000 pupils and teachers in schools in the last four decades.
Figures produced by the Joint Union Asbestos Committee estimate a staggering number of deaths have been caused by the toxic material between 1980 and 2017.
Materials that contain asbestos release fibres into the air when they are disturbed or damaged when buildings start to deteriorate. When inhaled these fibres can cause serious diseases.
Although the use of asbestos was banned in 1999, but there are concerns that 21,500 schools may still contain it.
The National Audit Office estimated last week that there could be up to 24,000 school buildings that are past their initial design life, which could start to deteriorate.
The committee, which represents eight teaching unions, claims the deaths are a result of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a cancer which affects the lining of the lungs and the lining surrounding the lower digestive tract.
It is almost exclusively related to asbestos exposure and by the time it is diagnosed, it is almost always fatal.
The number of deaths from asbestos is expected to fall in the next decade as less people are exposed to it, according to The Times.
However, campaigners argue that this will only be the case if there is no further exposure caused when buildings deteriorate.
Experts have predicted there will be a surge in cancer cases in the next 30 to 40 years if nothing is done to remove asbestos from existing buildings, The Times added.
Six million tonnes of asbestos are still inside 1.5million buildings in the UK including hospitals and eight out of 10 schools, according to a report from 2019.
(이하 생략)
위 내용의 원문은 아래 링크를 클릭하시기 바랍니다.
Classroom asbestos kills 10,000 pupils and teachers in four decades - as fears raised 21,000 UK schools are STILL riddled with deadly toxic fibres 
