Asbestos is responsible for 4,500 deaths per year and it is only predicted to get worse and by 2015, this silent killer will cut short the lives of 5,500+ per year.
A single fibre of Asbestos is 100 times stronger than a fibre of steel. It is fire proof and resistant to heat, chemicals and bacteria and it has fabulous sound proofing qualities.
The problem is that once these fibres penetrate your lungs they are unable to be released, so remain trapped forever causing more damage.
Common effects include:
- Asbestosis (a severe form of Asthma)
- Pleural Plague (thickening of the lungs lining)
- Mesothelioma (Asbestos related lung cancer)
Typically symptoms show themselves between 10-40 years after exposure.
Furthermore, there is no safe limit to exposure as all exposure is bad.
Every day, trade people are unknowingly exposed to these lethal asbestos fibres as they cut, saw and tamper with this material. Even those involved in IT and demolition are hazardous risk employment sectors.
Sadly, complacency is everywhere and lack of awareness and shear ignorance is the main cause of death for many.
Occupations which regularly came across asbestos as part of their job were:
- Laggers
- Thermal insulation engineers
- Ship yard workers
- Asbestos manufacturing workers
- Women who assembled gas masks during the war
- Building workers
- Plumbers
- Gas fitters
- Carpenters
- Electricians
- Painters and decorators
- And many more!
If you believe you or a relative has been affected by Asbestos and may have a claim… Contact Us now.
Further Reading
