35,000 UK death toll from asbestos cancer
According to the UK's Health and Safety Executive, more than 35,000 people died from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma between 1977 and 2007. And the numbers dying are increasing. Latest annual figures show that 2,156 people died from the disease in 2007 alone, up five per cent on the previous year
A new generation of workers are at risk unless building trades get to grips with Britain's biggest workplace killer - asbestos, the HSE has warned .
Figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that around a quarter of the 4,000 or so people dying from asbestos-related diseases each year in Britain are tradesmen such as joiners, electricians and plumbers. About twenty lose their lives each week.
Across Britain, more than 35,000 people died from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma between 1977 and 2007 - and the numbers dying are increasing. Latest annual figures show that 2,156 people died from the disease in 2007 alone, up five per cent on the previous year.
HSE has today launched a £1.2 million, month-long campaign to warn Britain's 1.8 million tradesmen about the dangers they face. Asbestos: The Hidden Killer runs throughout November and will see more than 500,000 information packs sent out, as well as targeted press and radio adverts.
