Canadian Association of University Teachers

 
Home > Issues & Campaigns > Asbestos > Sample News Release

Issues & Campaigns

Sample News Release

News Release - for immediate release

Campaign highlights asbestos dangers at (name of institution)

(City - Date) The (name of association) today is joining a national campaign to eliminate the hidden dangers students and staff are facing from exposure to asbestos on campus.

"The cancer-causing properties of asbestos are well-documented, yet it is widely present in university and college buildings constructed before the mid-1970's," says (name of spokesperson).

Asbestos was used as a cheap but effective means of fire and soundproofing, and thermal insulation, as well as in ceiling and floor tiles.

"The situation with asbestos on our campus is potentially serious because asbestos breaks down over time, and can become airborne as a result of construction and renovations," adds (name of spokesperson).

The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) launched the national asbestos awareness campaign following news that two professors at the University of Manitoba died from mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

"The purpose of the campaign is to make everyone in our community aware of the dangers and to ensure the institution fulfills its legal obligation to fully assess the risk and develop a plan to repair or remove asbestos products," says (name of spokesperson).

-30-


For more information:

(Name of spokesperson) (telephone number)