In its heyday asbestos was hailed as a wonder product. Thanks to this natural mineral’s strength, heat resistance and affordability, asbestos was used heavily in construction and was used to manufacture all kinds of products from ironing boards and fire blankets to ceiling tiles and gas masks.
The UK’s love affair with asbestos did not last as it eventually became clear that many people working with asbestos began suffering with health problems, in particular problems with their lungs.
In the UK, the first documented sufferer of an asbestos condition was Nellie Kershaw who was diagnosed with asbestosis in 1924. She was exposed to asbestos whilst working at a Turner Brothers Asbestos factory in Manchester.
Despite Nellie’s condition being identified in 1924, it was not until the year 2000 that a complete ban on the importation and use of all types of asbestos came into effect in the UK.
Unfortunately, by 2000 for many the damage had already been done and hundreds of thousands of people had already been exposed to asbestos. Thankfully, not everyone who has had asbestos exposure goes on to suffer with an asbestos related condition and asbestos conditions such as mesothelioma are rare.
A recent study in Italy has looked into whether the risk of developing peritoneal mesothelioma changes in the years after exposure to asbestos. Sadly, the findings were not good and the risk remains the same from the date of exposure.
The reason the risk does not decrease is because asbestos is ‘biopersistent’. Due to the shape and size of asbestos fibres, the body is unable to process them and so cannot get rid of them.
It is thought that this is also the reason behind why asbestos can cause mesothelioma. The shape of the fibres causes inflammation and irritation, resulting in cellular problems which develop into mesothelioma.
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.
Source: Pira, E, et al, “Updated mortality study of a cohort of textile workers”. July 25, 2016, Cancer Medicine.