UK unions call in cancer expert over fears of asbestos risk to female teachers

Concerns at mesothelioma death rate trigger study to detect exposure to now banned material used in school buildings

The threat of asbestos-related cancer to female teachers is to be examined after possible signs of an elevated risk of fatal illness.

Trade unions are to work with one of the country's leading cancer experts on a study of the exposure women in their late-40s to mid-60s may have had to the material inside school buildings. It comes after researchers detected a possible increase in mesothelioma deaths among the group that could be statistically significant.