Continued Danger From Asbestos
The dangers of asbestos are well known, with the repercussions affecting hundreds of lives across the UK. Whilst the product was banned fully in 1999, there are still many reported cases of the material being found, due to the widespread use of the product from the 1950’s until the mid 80’s.
There are on average 20 asbestos related deaths every week in the UK, with a similar amount of people still being diagnosed with asbestosis, mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases.
Asbestos fibres are highly dangerous
If you have worked around asbestos, it is vital to keep getting check-ups, as it is vital to catch any diseases in the early stages. This helps with treatment, as the diseases are often terminal, but when caught early, the effects can be held off with treatment. Another reason to catch it early is so that you can get financial help. This can sometimes come from the company involved directly, but with some workers, the firms in question often no longer exist. If you undergo the process of an asbestosis claim, there are teams of specialist solicitors for this. With help from government legislation, the court process has been sped up due to the terminal nature of asbestos related diseases, with time being a critical factor.
The dangers of asbestos are not limited to those who have worked directly with it though. Examples of workers wives have been seen, due to exposure from washing workers clothes. Before asbestos was realised to be dangerous, it often escaped factories via fumes and less strict working practices, which in turn exposed the general public.
Even now, there are still examples of asbestos being found in older buildings as people do house repairs and DIY. The demolition of old buildings can be a danger, but strict working guidelines require surveys and professional removal if the substance is found.
Whilst it may seem like a horror story, it does not affect everyone, but those who know they have been exposed should make sure their doctor is aware of this. Staying safe is key, with regular checkups to make sure any developments are found early can increase life quality and expectancy.
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