New research revealing teachers are ten times more likely to suffer asbestos‐related cancer than the general population are of "grave concern" says Shadow Education Minister Paul Davies.

The study, revealed at a Cardiff conference on occupational health, warned of an "epidemic" of mesothelioma in Welsh schools. Experts also pointed out that the effect of asbestos on schoolchildren has never been measured. Mr Davies, who is also Preseli Pembrokeshire's Assembly Member, said:

"This is an extremely worrying piece of research that is of grave concern. "The cancer rates are much higher for teachers so it begs the question "what about the children they are teaching?"

"For every teacher exposed to asbestos in school buildings there must be 20 to 30 children also being exposed."

Asbestos was widely used in the construction industry between the 1960s and 1980s, and any classrooms built or refurbished before 2000 are likely to contain the material. Teaching unions in Wales are now demanding urgent action to tackle the "hidden killer" in Welsh schools. Local Education Authorities, and ultimately headteachers, are legally responsible for asbestos in their schools.

"The Welsh Conservatives will now be questioning the Assembly Government about the support given to LEAs to deal with asbestos in schools," added Mr Davies.