AM CALLS FOR ACTION TO TACKLE ASBESTOS TIME BOMB

NATIONAL Assembly Member for Monmouth, Nick Ramsay, has this week spoken out over the danger posed to pupils and teachers by the presence of asbestos in schools.

In a Statement of Opinion, local AM Nick called on the Welsh Assembly to support immediate action to increase the awareness of education staff across Wales regarding the risk of exposure to asbestos.

It is believed that three-quarters of schools in England and Wales contain asbestos, and that since 1980 nearly 300 teachers and lecturers have died of mesothelioma, a cancer related to asbestos exposure.

The Monmouth AM has also made further calls for proper training to all Head Teachers and School Managers regarding their current responsibilities in this area, and for comprehensive national audit of asbestos in all schools in Wales.

Speaking today Nick said: "Teachers are dying of asbestos-related diseases, which should not be happening.

"It is a worrying situation that teachers and children in Monmouthshire and across Wales are being exposed to the deadly material on a daily basis. This is frankly unacceptable.

"Action needs to be taken now to tackle the asbestos time bomb in schools across Wales.

"It is vital we find out the current scale of the problem so that we can start dealing with it.

"I hope that by tabling a Statement of Opinion, calling the Assembly for support, I can help raise awareness of this problem. Asbestos is a hidden killer and we must eliminate it from our schools."