Asbestos: Banned 20 years ago but still killing

For decades, the UK used asbestos extensively. From construction to shipbuilding to engineering, the cheap, versatile material was seen as a wonderstuff, due to its fire-proofing properties. Unfortunately, asbestos wasn’t as amazing as it seemed and many people who had worked with the mineral became ill.

First recorded asbestos-related death

The first recorded death in the UK due to asbestos was in March 1924. Nellie Kershaw was from Rochdale and worked at Turner Brothers Asbestos. She was a rover, spinning yarn from raw asbestos fibre. She suffered symptoms for around four years before she passed away at the age of 33. Before her passing, her physician, Dr Joss, had diagnosed her with “asbestos poisoning”, this was fiercely denied by Turner Brothers and they refused to compensate Nellie or her family.

Asbestos continued to be used

Despite this early recognition of asbestos causing health problems, it wasn’t until 1985 that the first asbestos ban was introduced in the UK. The import and use of blue (crocidolite) and brown (amosite), deemed to be the most lethal forms of asbestos, was banned. In 1992, certain forms of white (chrysotile) asbestos were banned and around the same time, other laws were passed in relation to the use and removal of asbestos insulation and work being carried out by licenced professionals.

Total asbestos ban in 1999

It was not until 1999 that the final UK asbestos ban was brought in, with the remaining uses of white asbestos being banned.

Asbestos legacy continues

Asbestos conditions have a latency period of between 10 and 50 years. It is due to this that we are still seeing the effects of asbestos in the UK, 20 years after its complete ban. Sadly, every week we are contacted by people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer, asbestosis or pleural thickening. It was expected that the number of asbestos diagnoses would start to decrease in 2016, unfortunately, we are yet to see this drop.

Asbestos still around today

Perhaps even more disturbing than the legacy of asbestos for those who worked with the deadly substance day in, day out, is the asbestos still present today. Any building constructed before the year 2000 could contain asbestos. Asbestos is only dangerous when the fibres become airborne and so it can safely remain in buildings, provided it is in a good state of repair and is not disturbed.

Workers still being exposed

All too frequently, we receive calls from people who have recently been exposed to asbestos, thanks to the negligence of their employers. Whilst a single incident of exposure to asbestos won’t put someone at risk of developing asbestosis, asbestos lung cancer or pleural thickening, it only takes minimal exposure to put someone at risk of developing the incurable asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma. Education and awareness is key The only way to prevent asbestos-related conditions, is to prevent exposure to asbestos. The key to this is ensuring employers and employees are aware of the dangers of asbestos, how to identify it and what to do when it is found. Asbestos should only be removed by licensed professionals. If in doubt, seek expert advice.   If you require assistance in pursuing an asbestos compensation claim for mesothelioma or other asbestos disease then please contact us today on our freephone number 0800 038 6767. Alternatively, head over to the ‘Contact Us’ page, complete the form and we will be in touch.

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