There are now 1800 deaths per year in Britain and numbers are still increasing, the epidemic is still to come. The peak of the epidemic is expected in 2015 to 2020 when the death rate is likely to be 2000 per year in the UK. Many countries are seeing similar increases including Australia and the US. The Health and Safety Executive indicate that those most commonly afflicted are carpenters and joiners. Wives and daughters who washed the overalls of asbestos workers are also among those who have died.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used as a building material from the 1950's to mid 1980's in Great Britain. Exposure to Asbestos can cause a range of diseases including mesothelioma (a slow growing tumour) from the inhalation of asbestos fibres. It can take 15 - 60 years after first exposure before the development diseases related to exposure to asbestos. Symptoms include breathlessness, pain in chest and a persistent cough. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose. The BMJ's report highlights the need to recognise the disease early and treat it actively and learn more about it through studies.
Dealing since the early 1980's with asbestos cases, Richard Follis Partner and injury specialist at Alexander Harris solicitors said: "This disease is devastating, often long retired workers are suddenly struck down with a virulent incurable cancer. I have been representing these cases and families at Inquests since the early 1980's and it is sad to think that the legacy of industry is to leave families in their retirement years with uncertainty, disabilities and sadly in some cases death."
References: Treasure et al. 'Radical Surgery for mesothelioma. The British Medical Journal (2004; 328:237-238) The Health and Safety Executive - http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm. Please contact the Media Management Department at Alexander Harris Solicitors for further information on 0161 925 5555.
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Related news stories
- 20/07/2006: Government measures to speed up compensation for mesothelioma sufferers
- 10/05/2005: Man dies from asbestos related disease after repeated exposure to dust on stepfather's overalls as a child
- 10/05/2005: Asbestos in the media as family fight for compensation
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