UK mesothelioma due to shipbuilding finally declining

For decades rates of mesothelioma for dockyard workers have been much higher than those for other occupations, however, the rates look to be finally decreasing. The UK’s rates of mesothelioma are one of the highest per capita in the world, partly due to the extensive use of asbestos in the shipbuilding industry.

Asbestos used extensively in the shipbuilding industry

Asbestos was cheap and due to its fireproofing properties, it was the perfect material to use as insulation on-board ships. The asbestos powder was mixed with water to make a paste and was applied to the pipes and boilers on ships. This work was done in enclosed spaces and so anyone working on the ship would be exposed to a great deal of asbestos dust.

Asbestos in the UK banned in 2000

Although in the UK, shipbuilding is no longer a major industry and asbestos was banned in the UK in 2000, the latency period of mesothelioma means that the effects of exposure to asbestos do not show until 10 to 50 years later. This is why the rates of mesothelioma generally have not yet started to decline, despite the ban of asbestos in the UK.

New research

A new report from the National Heart & Lung Institute at Imperial College London has found that whilst there are still cases of mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos at dockyards, the number is getting smaller. Researchers looked at mesothelioma mortality rates around dockyards between 2002 and 2015. Lead researcher, Dr Carl Reynolds, said; “For most districts, age-adjusted mesothelioma mortality rates increased through 2002 to 2015 but the relative contribution from districts with a dockyard fell….Mesothelioma deaths are becoming more dispersed.”

Mesothelioma deaths due to other exposure not reducing

Whilst the evidence suggests that the UK incidence of mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos from shipbuilding is now starting to decrease, deaths due to mesothelioma overall are still not falling.

Other occupations at risk

Whilst workers in the shipbuilding industry had a high risk of developing asbestos-related conditions including mesothelioma, asbestosis and pleural thickening, there are other occupations that were, and still are, also at risk. Laggers, electricians, plumbers, heating engineers are all occupations with a high risk. In more recent times, the incidence of mesothelioma has been linked to professions such as teachers, doctors and nurses, due to the presence of asbestos in many public buildings such as schools and hospitals. The legacy of asbestos continues but hopefully we are starting to see some element of decline.

Can we help?

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. Sources: Reynolds, CJ, et al “Mesothelioma mortality in Great Britain: how much longer will dockyards dominate?”, October 29, 2019, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epub ahead of print, https://ift.tt/2ChwwY3 Rusiecki, J, et al, “Mortality among Coast Guard Shipyard workers: a retrospective cohort study of specific exposures”, February 2017, Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health, Epub ahead of print.  

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