The death of 20-year-old Liam from mesothelioma, a rare cancer linked to asbestos exposure, has brought renewed attention to the presence of the hazardous material in schools and its impact on younger generations. His case, one of the youngest on record, highlights a growing concern among medical professionals, scientists, and legal experts who report seeing an increasing number of mesothelioma cases in individuals in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.
Mesothelioma typically develops between 20 to 60 years after asbestos exposure. Clinicians suggest that exposure during childhood, particularly in schools, is a likely culprit for these younger patients who have no history of working in traditional asbestos-laden industries. Liz Darlison, CEO of Mesothelioma UK, noted that a recent group of nine new patients had an average age of just 52, with only one in his 80s.
In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that over 75% of schools contain asbestos, a figure rising to over 80% in England. This has led to health and teaching unions reporting an increase in mesothelioma cases among teachers, doctors, nurses, and other ancillary staff. A 2024 report by the Joint Union Asbestos Committee suggested that since 1980, at least 12,600 former pupils and 1,400 teachers may have died from mesothelioma, with hundreds of thousands more potentially at risk.
Statistical research indicates that teachers are five times more likely to develop mesothelioma than the general population. Furthermore, research from 2013 found that a child exposed to asbestos at age five is five times more likely to develop the disease later in life compared to someone exposed at 30, due to the longer latency period.
Liam's mother, Nicola Anderson, stated that Liam's primary school was identified in a 2016 list of buildings containing asbestos. While the exact source of his exposure remains unconfirmed, the family is one of many grappling with the devastating consequences of this disease. Liam was initially misdiagnosed with pericarditis before his mesothelioma was confirmed shortly before his death in October 2024.
Legal firms specializing in asbestos litigation report a significant shift in their clientele. Lawyers with decades of experience are now representing younger individuals, including teachers and former pupils, whose exposure is believed to have occurred in educational settings. Harminder Bains of Leigh Day noted representing clients in their 20s and 30s, with one as young as 21, pointing to schools as the most probable source.
Emily-Jane Scandrett developed symptoms at age 39 while pregnant and was later diagnosed with mesothelioma. Investigations by her legal team identified her former secondary school, which had prefabricated classrooms containing asbestos, as the likely source of exposure. She passed away in January of this year.
Despite the concerns, a spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) stated that over 1,000 asbestos inspections in schools since 2022 showed that most schools manage asbestos safely. However, campaigners argue that the government's policy of leaving asbestos in place if managed is no longer sufficient, especially in aging buildings like schools and hospitals. They advocate for phased removal, starting with these public buildings.
The Health and Safety Executive reports around 5,000 asbestos-related deaths annually, though some research suggests this figure could be significantly higher, with thousands of lung cancer deaths misattributed. The HSE's figures primarily count work-related deaths based on a person's last recorded job, potentially excluding individuals like former teachers who later worked in different fields.