Chalk Dust: The Hidden Classroom Hazard

Teachers in Johannesburg's public secondary schools are facing an unseen challenge: chalk dust. A recent study shed light on how teachers handle this everyday hazard. Most teachers, around 95%, have never had any training on the risks of chalk dust. This lack of knowledge leads to a worrying trend: 76% of teachers don't take any precautions to protect themselves. When it comes to reducing exposure, teachers often rely on simple actions. Opening windows, washing hands, and opening doors are common practices. But these measures might not be enough. Despite the lack of training, a huge majority, 88%, understand that chalk dust can harm their health. Half of them know that chalk dust can enter the body through breathing, swallowing, or touching the skin. The study also looked at how long teachers have been working and how it affects their knowledge and health. Teachers with 25-30 years of experience seem to know more about the risks. Surprisingly, teachers with 5-10, 15-20, and 25-30 years of experience are more likely to suffer from health issues like coughing, throat discomfort, nasal congestion, and headaches. This situation raises some important questions. Why aren't teachers being trained on the risks of chalk dust? Why are they left to figure out their own safety measures? And why are some teachers more affected than others? It's clear that more needs to be done to protect those who educate our children.