A Philadelphia educator reportedly developed mesothelioma asbestos cancer, although its uncertain whether exposure occurred in the school.

The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) recently announced that one of the union members has been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer from asbestos. The unnamed educator has reportedly been teaching in the Philadelphia school district for over 17 years.

Although there is no proof that the teacher’s disease was caused by asbestos in Philadelphia schools, mesothelioma is almost always caused by asbestos. According to the Mayo Clinic, mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue which covers internal organs. This includes the pleura around the lungs, the peritoneum in the abdomen, the pericardium around the heart, and other linings in the body.

Unfortunately, asbestos takes a long time to cause the damage that would lead to mesothelioma. So, if teachers and students are being exposed to mesothelioma in schools, they may not figure it out until 20 years or more pass.

An occupational health expert from Drexel University told WHYY that exposure to asbestos in a school would have contributed to the teacher’s mesothelioma asbestos cancer even if it wasn’t the primary cause.

“The students and educators are literally risking death when they go to school,” PFT president Jerry J. said. “That is a shocking, shocking thing.”

Due to this announcement educators and advocates are calling for widespread asbestos remediation. The PFT has called for a detailed assessment and also for remediation. The “Fund Our Facilities” coalition has called on the city and state to dedicate $100 million to the remediation of mold, lead, and asbestos in the school district, according to CBS Philly.

Not the First Complaint

Unfortunately, the issue of asbestos in Philadelphia schools is not new. In May 2018, the Philadelphia Inquirer released its “Toxic City: Sick Schools” investigation which showed that the city’s schools were rife with asbestos contamination.

A sample from a part of the floor in a classroom closet, used to store lunches and backpacks, was reportedly shown to have a count of 4 million asbestos fibers per square centimeter. This shocking amount is reportedly 50 times higher than the settled asbestos dust found indoors near Ground Zero following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“I’m worried about my lungs, and my lungs are almost 60. My babies’ lungs — they are just developing,” elementary school teacher Sharon B. told the Inquirer. Sharon has been teaching elementary school for 25 years and works in the classroom where the sample was taken.

“My kids are breathing it in,” Sharon cried. “You’ve got to get my babies out of there.”

In December 2018, the Inquirer reported that asbestos in schools was not being addressed. The Philadelphia school district reportedly took an aggressive stance on eliminating lead paint, but lawmakers and advocates urged the district to turn their attention to asbestos contamination in schools – even while the current EPA tries to reduce asbestos regulation.

“We know it’s a big issue. Let’s start working on a plan,” Councilman-at-Large Derek Green said, calling for action. “Just like we did with lead, let’s be proactive with asbestos as well.”