Mesothelioma and other asbestos related illnesses are a serious problem in just about every industrialized nation, and diagnoses continue to increase worldwide. Even though mesothelioma diagnoses are climbing dramatically both in the Unites States and abroad, readily available treatment options fail to substantially curb the very poor prognosis of the disease.
The Health and Safety Administration of the United Kingdom, or HSE, recently stated that asbestos related deaths are on the rise throughout Britain. More than twenty people a week die of asbestos related disease in Britain alone, a number that’s beginning to register alongside more commonplace causes of death such as traffic accidents. The weekly toll is growing quickly, and is up almost 100% from just ten years ago. The HSE has declared asbestos as the leading cause of death in the industrial realm and has launched an asbestos awareness campaign entitled “Asbestos: The Hidden Killer.” The campaign aims to compel employees to take an active interest in the safety of their workplace.
“Asbestos is Britain’s biggest industrial killer and remains a very real threat. The risks are not a thing of the past…” Said Greg Haywood, who leads the Health and Safety Administration’s asbestos licensing unit.
Contrary to the general public sentiment, mesothelioma, a terminal cancer caused by asbestos, can be contracted by accidental and minor exposure to asbestos – not just prolonged high volume exposure such as would be found in asbestos manufacturing or processing plants of yesteryear. Buildings constructed before the turn of the century often used asbestos as a fire retardant and thermal insulator, and the asbestos fibers can be released into the air during renovations, demolitions, or even repair and utility work performed on the building. Many victims of mesothelioma develop the disease through mild exposure in their place of business which takes place during just such renovations or repairs.
The HSE’s asbestos campaign is being supported by victims of mesothelioma who wish to increase awareness of asbestos dangers in the workplace. One such supporter of the asbestos awareness campaign is Robert Hamilton of Forest View, Polmont.
Robert worked in a chemical plant in Grangemouth as an assistant foreman for 28 years. While he did not handle asbestos himself, he was exposed to the dangerous fibres during maintenance and renovation work performed on his building. Robert has since undergone chemotherapy, radium treatments and has had his left lung removed in an attempt to alleviate his symptoms.
“I have been extremely lucky,” Robert said, “I was told I had six months to live three years ago. I just want to thank all the doctors and nurses at all the hospitals who have helped me.”
Robert attends a monthly support group where he heard about the HSE’s asbestos awareness campaign and was asked if he would like to participate.
“I was asked if I would like to take part and I said yes. If it prevents someone else going through what I have gone through, I’m willing to do anything,” he said.
With thousands upon thousands of workplaces still considered hazardous in the UK, the HSE’s Greg Haywood is working hard to raise awareness and save people’s lives. The situation is similar in the United States.
“The most simple, but important advice,” Greg says, “is that if you are not 100 per cent certain there is no asbestos where you are working, then don’t start work. It’s not worth the risk.”
Sources: HSE national statistics reports “MESOTHELIOMA OCCUPATION STATISTICS: MALE AND FEMALE DEATHS AGED 16-74 IN GREAT BRITAIN 1980 – 2000″, Department of Transport “ROAD CASUALTIES GREAT BRITAIN 2007: ANNUAL REPORT”, The Falkirk Herald http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/features/Asbestos-The-Hidden-Killer.5839108.jp
