Teachers are among those most at risk for malignant mesothelioma, a fact made painfully clear in Philadelphia, where a teacher was diagnosed with the rare and deadly cancer. Multiple school buildings have been shut down for remediation and the issue is a growing concern. This week it was revealed that the Philadelphia school district docked the pay of teachers who protested having to work in unsafe conditions, and in response, three teachers have filed a class action lawsuit claiming violation of their First Amendment rights.
Mesothelioma Presents Significant Risk for School Employees
Malignant mesothelioma has long been classified as an occupational disease associated with factory settings, construction, shipyard work, and firefighting. But after years of working in buildings constructed using asbestos insulation and tiles, teachers and other school staff have been added to that list. In Philadelphia, two schools had to close last April over asbestos concerns, and it’s been estimated that it will cost almost $5 billion to address the issue for the entire district.
When teachers at Philadelphia’s Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School relocated their workstations to an outdoor patio over mesothelioma concerns, the district docked their pay for unauthorized absences. In response, the teachers have filed a class action lawsuit accusing the district of violating their First Amendment rights. Their attorney says that the district wanted to stop the protest, and points out that the latest Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act report published for the school identified over 100 “confirmed” or “assumed” sources of asbestos in the building.
Mesothelioma Risk in School Buildings Rooted in Historical Construction Practices
Before it was known that asbestos could cause asbestosis, malignant mesothelioma, and other diseases, it was commonly used in construction, and especially in public buildings like schools. The material was valued for its thermal insulation and fire resistance, but as it deteriorates over the years, it breaks down into small fibers that can be inhaled and lead to illness.
The lawsuit indicates that up to 50 teachers were disciplined and lost wages as a result of their protests, and say they would not have had to take action if not for the school’s failure to provide complete information to teachers and parents about asbestos remediation efforts and mesothelioma risk.
If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos, you need information. For help, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
