Asbestos News
UK builder dies of asbestos-caused lung cancer
A British man who worked as a builder for decades recently died of asbestos-caused lung cancer, reports the Preston Citizen.A coroner's inquest in the UK heard that Neil Malcolm began working as a builder and shopfitter in 1967 and was regularly exposed to asbestos throughout his career. Many blue collar workers came in contact with asbestos in their employment as the naturally occurring substance was once widely used as an insulator and flame retardant.
In a statement prepared before he died, Malcolm explained that he was routinely exposed to asbestos on the job.
"I did not take any precautions or wear a mask because I was never made aware of the dangers of asbestos and so I would regularly breathe in the dust," he said. "I did many similar jobs that involved working with asbestos panels and tiles during my working life."
East Lancashire coroner Micheal Singleton said that asbestos caused Malcolm's cancer and recorded his death as the result of an industrial disease.
In addition to lung cancer, exposure to asbestos can cause malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis.
8/25/11
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