A team in the UK is planning to carry out secret tests on dozens of schools in the country this summer to highlight the threat of asbestos to both students and teachers.

The tests have been arranged by families of teachers killed by asbestos related diseases, including Mesothelioma cancer. The goal of the tests is to prove that asbestos is in the schools and to have it removed safely.

Sadly, the majority of schools in the country are thought to contain asbestos fibers. These fibers were used to insulate the buildings during the years they were built (1940-1980). Over the years the fibers come loose and can become lethal to individuals spending a lot of time in the vicinity.

Documents obtained by the campaign group Asbestos in Schools shows that ministers in the area were warned more than ten years ago that looking into asbestos in the school system could spark panic and would be expensive – therefore no testing was ever done.

The current tests will look into up to 100 schools in the next couple months – and from there depending on the number that contain asbestos the rest may be tested as well. The tests will be brought to the UK government for review.