Asbestos Responsible for Poor Health in Scotland
For years the lack of health in Scotland has been blamed on poor diet, lack of exercise,
and other problematic lifestyle choices. However, something else may be the cause for
Scotland’s poor health: asbestos.
Asbestos were used heavily in Scotland as it became more and more industrialized. This
cheap product could successfully insulate buildings for a very low cost. Over the course of a
few decades, asbestos was used in the construction of schools, houses, and eve university
buildings.
Manufacturers knowingly exposed their workers to these asbestos in the construction
process. One such manufacturer, Turner and Newall, used a combination of politicians, and PR
firms to hide public knowledge of these dangers. It was eventually revealed that Turner and
Newall were well aware of the dangers of asbestos and were willingly exposing their workers to
these dangerous conditions.
Clydesdale Action on Asbestos has decided to take a stand on this issue. The
organization covers many different aspects of treating asbestos related diseases, from working
with specialized nurses to petitioning the Scottish government. They recently have been
working with the government for asbestos abatement in over 1,600 schools.
The Scottish government seems uneager to work with Clydesdale Action on Asbestos,
however. Although asbestos in schools has been listed as a “potentially dangerous” by the
National Audit Report, they are still wary to begin an asbestos removal process in schools. They
also no longer receive grant funding from the Scottish government and must rely on private
donors to fund their organizations.
There are clear negative health effects of asbestos in Scotland, from building workers to
school children. Hopefully public health officials can begin to research this topic more and work
with organizations such as Clydesdale Action on Asbestos to bring better health to Scotland.
For years the lack of health in Scotland has been blamed on poor diet, lack of exercise,
and other problematic lifestyle choices. However, something else may be the cause for
Scotland’s poor health: asbestos.
Asbestos were used heavily in Scotland as it became more and more industrialized. This
cheap product could successfully insulate buildings for a very low cost. Over the course of a
few decades, asbestos was used in the construction of schools, houses, and eve university
buildings.
Manufacturers knowingly exposed their workers to these asbestos in the construction
process. One such manufacturer, Turner and Newall, used a combination of politicians, and PR
firms to hide public knowledge of these dangers. It was eventually revealed that Turner and
Newall were well aware of the dangers of asbestos and were willingly exposing their workers to
these dangerous conditions.
Clydesdale Action on Asbestos has decided to take a stand on this issue. The
organization covers many different aspects of treating asbestos related diseases, from working
with specialized nurses to petitioning the Scottish government. They recently have been
working with the government for asbestos abatement in over 1,600 schools.
The Scottish government seems uneager to work with Clydesdale Action on Asbestos,
however. Although asbestos in schools has been listed as a “potentially dangerous” by the
National Audit Report, they are still wary to begin an asbestos removal process in schools. They
also no longer receive grant funding from the Scottish government and must rely on private
donors to fund their organizations.
There are clear negative health effects of asbestos in Scotland, from building workers to
school children. Hopefully public health officials can begin to research this topic more and work
with organizations such as Clydesdale Action on Asbestos to bring better health to Scotland.