| Hundreds of Thousands More Will Die
Hazards Magazine – 27 February, 2007
Hundreds of thousands of people in the UK could die from asbestos-related cancer, latest estimates suggest.
Just one deadly asbestos cancer, mesothelioma is now killing 2,000 people each year in the in the UK - one death every five hours. But for every mesothelioma death at least one person - and probably many more - will die from asbestos related lung cancer.
Latest estimates suggest this could mean at least 120,000 people and probably substantially more are still to die as a result of Britain's asbestos disease epidemic - an epidemic predicted by unions and campaign groups, who have for decades called for stricter controls on asbestos.
The price paid by working people is spelled out in a new YouTube video from the Forum of Asbestos Victim Support Groups. Elizabeth Bradford, a teacher, Yvonne Lowe, a school caretaker and Andrew Burns, a 37-year-old who was exposed to asbestos as an apprentice electrician are among those who explain the everyday circumstances that led to them developing mesothelioma, a condition which usually kills within two years.
Nationwide, asbestos groups are involved in events on 27 February, Action Mesothelioma Day, to increase awareness of the problem and to press for better treatment for those affected and for more research to find a cure.
The Forum's video will also be screened on BBC's outdoor big screens. Amicus has produced an Action Mesothelioma Day poster and is urging its workplace reps to get involved.
Amicus health and safety officer Rob Miguel said: 'Mesothelioma can develop up to 60 years after exposure to asbestos and because of this long delay it has been calculated that the number of UK cases will continue to rise until 2015.'
Amicus general secretary Derek Simpson said: 'People have died needlessly from this most painful horrific disease, we will continue to fight for better working conditions, so our children do not suffer the same fate. We are determined that those who are affected by mesothelioma receive justice, and get the care and support they need.'
* re-produced with kind permission of ARCA |
