Asbestos - The Silent Killer

Asbestos is the single biggest work place killerSadly the effects of asbestos take many years
today. People who have worked with the materialto manifest themselves. People who worked in
are at serious risk from developing lung cancer,the construction industries some 20 to 40 years
asbestosis and mesothelioma, fatal respiratoryago may still be awaiting their fate. Asbestos
illnesses that debilitate their victims. Evidence ofcauses several diseases, two of which occur only
asbestos' deadly effect on those who breathe itsin those who have had contact with asbestos,
fibres is likely to multiply in the decades to come.asbestosis and mesothelioma. Lung cancer and
Asbestos was once heralded as the greatestemphysema are more commonly associated with
building material available to those in thesmoking but frequently occur in non smokers with
construction industries. Its high tensile strength,a history of asbestos contact.
durability and flexibility, as well as heat insulationIt is thought that the worst is yet to come. The
and fire retardant properties meant that it couldpeak of asbestos usage was in the 60's and 70's
save lives, make buildings strong and makeso many people may develop lung diseases in the
industries rich. It was first used by the Greeksnear future.
some 2000 years ago. They were aware of theDue to the latency of asbestos diseases it is
health hazards it posed but believed that itsthought that we will be seeing many more
magical ability to withstand fire far outweighed thisincidences of mesothelioma in the next 25 years.
danger.Hugh Robertson, head of health and safety at the
The dangers to health were all but 'forgotten' untilBritish TUC says: "A realistic estimate is that
at the turn of the twentieth century whenwithin the EU alone 500,000 will die in the next 35
medical researchers noticed a large number ofyears, half from mesothelioma and half from lung
deaths and lung problems occurring in asbestoscancer. In Japan, an estimated 100,000 will die. If
mining towns. In 1917 and 1918, several Unitedyou add the Australian, Canadian and US figures
States studies discovered that asbestos workersthen even a million is an under estimation - and
were dying unnaturally young.that is only for the developed countries."
Asbestosis was first diagnosed in a 33 year oldPeople affected by asbestos are entitled to
woman in 1924, this lead to studies being carriedcompensation from the companies who knowingly
out on asbestos workers in the UK. Examinationsexposed them many years ago.
on the workers showed that thirty percent hadPeople affected by asbestos related illness should
asbestos-related lung disease. UK laws werespeak to a personal injury solicitor who has
introduced in 1931 to increase ventilation and toexperience in asbestos cases.
make asbestosis an identifiable work related illness.For free legal advice visit to learn more about
Despite the established link between asbestos andasbestos and to make a claim, or alternatively
lung diseases the industry continued to grow wellyou can call us on 0800 10 757 95.
into the last century. At the peak of its usageYouClaims' solicitors have many years experience
asbestos was produced in 24 countries worldwide;of handling asbestos related claims. They help
it was also manufactured in over 100. Worldpeople rebuild their future following exposure to
production climaxed at over 5 million tonnes. Thethe deadly effects of asbestos.
building, shipping, insulation and demolitionEditorial notes: YouClaim provides full accident
companies whose workers came into contactlitigation compensation services. Helps people to
with asbestos were often aware that their staffclaim compensation for all types of injury from
were at risk. They did not take sufficient steps towhiplash to head injuries.
protect their workforce from personal injury.