An alarming increase in the number of women dying of an asbestos-related cancer is worrying experts, the Mirror can reveal today.

The latest official figures show that mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, is the most rapidly increasing cancer in women.

And experts are baffled by the sharp rise and called for more research into “low level” exposure to the killer dust. Some believe the shock rise is linked to asbestos-riddled schools built in the 1960s and 70s and victims are coming to light as the cancer develops upto 40 years after contact with the killer dust.

All the major teaching unions support the Mirror’s Asbestos Timebomb campaign for an audit of all public buildings, including schools, and want the deadly material removed.

Consultant surgeon John Edwards, who has studied the figures, said:”We don’t know why the incidence in women is rising. We need further research to determine the risk of low level exposure to asbestos. “The increase in males is more steady and the fact that the ratio has changed suggests that the pattern of exposure has changed.”

The Sheffield lung surgeon said many of the victims had not worked in industries normally associated with asbestos exposure and said the ‘‘perception amongst clinicians’’ was that the deadly cancer,which attacks the lining of the lung or abdomen, was the result of ‘‘low level’’ exposure, such as asbestos found in school wall and ceiling panels.

The latest government statistics for the Health and Safety Executive show that mesothelioma was mentioned as the cause of death for 384 women in 2008 compared with 1,865 men. In 2007, it was 347 women and 1,826 men. In 2005 it was 289 women and 1,759 men.

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Cancer Research UK says that for women mesothelioma has the most increasing death rate of any cancer, at 57% – even ahead of malignant melanoma. a skin cancer, at 49%. Uterine cancer has increased by 33% and kidney cancer by 23% in the ten years to 2007.

Mesothelioma kills 2,000 people every year in Britain and death rate is not expected to peak until 2015.

The disturbing new figures come as Britain’s most senior judges are considering a legal limit for ‘‘low level’’ exposure in a legal test case that could affect thousands of sufferers. The seven judges of the Supreme Court – the highest in the land – are expected to deliver their judgment before Christmas.

They will determine if there is justice for the family of mum-of-two Dianne Willmore, 49, who died last year – the day after she won £240,000 compensation from Merseyside council for being exposed to asbestos at school in Huyton, Liverpool. The local authority is fighting the pay out and the judges will decide.

Last night leading asbestos campaigner Michael Lees, whose teacher wife Gina died from mesothelioma in 2000, said:”Great Britain has the highest incidence of mesothelioma in the world, and the deaths are relentlessly increasing. Of particular concern is the rapid rise in the number of females who are dying of this awful cancer, for their deaths invariably are the result of low level asbestos exposures.

“A recent study showed that the majority of women suffering from mesothelioma had no idea where they were exposed to asbestos – the type of asbestos exposure that is typical in schools. “It is a disgrace that successive UK Governments have refused to even assess the asbestos risks in schools. In comparison thirty years ago the US Government did just that, and because of the particular vulnerability of children they introduced stringent asbestos laws specifically for schools.

“Because the USA have assessed the risks and allocated proportionate resources their incidence of mesothelioma has stabilised at a level considerably less than half that of Great Britain. It is inevitable that until we take the necessary measures the legacy of asbestos will continue to reap its appalling toll.”

Both the Health and safety Executive and the Department for Education insist that asbestos is safe if it is ‘‘properly managed’’ and not disturbed in school buildings.