Today is Action Mesothelioma Day. A day to raise awareness of mesothelioma and remember those we have sadly lost to this insidious disease. Each year at Asbestos Justice, on the first Friday of July, we mark the day and take part in local events, such as memorial services or seminars to help raise awareness.
Chester will be lit up in blue
This year, we are taking part in the “Go Blue for Meso” campaign, helping to raise awareness of mesothelioma, an asbestos related cancer, by lighting up landmarks across the country in blue. So tonight, three of Chester’s landmarks will be lit in blue, Chester Eastgate Clock, Chester Town Hall and the Newgate Arch Bridge.
Later today, we will be visiting the sites and sharing photos of the landmarks to help raise awareness of mesothelioma and underline the risks that asbestos exposure still poses.
Mesothelioma is avoidable
Mesothelioma is completely avoidable. The only known cause is exposure to asbestos, and so if we can stop people being exposed to asbestos, we can stop mesothelioma.
Thankfully, all forms of asbestos were banned in the UK by the year 2000, however, this does not mean that there is no longer a risk of being exposed to asbestos. Any building built before this time could still contain asbestos and, indeed, many do. Shockingly, we still speak to people on a regular basis who, even now, are being exposed to asbestos at work, either through lack of information or negligence on the part of their employers.
10 to 50 years after exposure
There is a latency period of between 10 and 50 years from the exposure to asbestos, to the development of symptoms of mesothelioma, and so it can be a long time before any consequences of the exposure are seen. Thankfully, not everyone who is exposed to asbestos goes on to develop an asbestos-related condition but we need to be aware of the risks and that is the hope with supporting campaigns such as this.
Get in touch
If you would like more information about mesothelioma or would like to discuss a potential asbestos-related compensation claim, please contact us on our freephone number 0800 038 6767. Alternatively, head over to the ‘Contact Us’ page, complete the form and we will be in touch.