New statistics reveal mesothelioma more prevalent in UK than United States

Great Britain’s Health and Safety Executive has finally released the shocking statistics behind the country’s rate of mesothelioma incidence.  Mesothelioma is a rare and terminal cancer of the protective lining of the body’s major organs and cavities that is caused almost exclusively by prolonged asbestos exposure.  According to the newly released figures, at least 5,000 deaths from mesothelioma a year are expected by 2015.  This is surprisingly higher than the numbers released by Washington, D.C., placing the number of cases of malignant mesothelioma cases detected each year in the U.S. at 3,000.

According to U.K. experts almost every building erected in the country prior to 1999 will have used asbestos in its construction.  This means that even the simplest renovation or repair projects can lead to the creation of a potentially hazardous situation.  Whenever asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, they are likely to release microscopic, carcinogenic asbestos fibers into the air.  These fibers can then be inhaled by anyone in the vicinity, ultimately lodging in the lungs and contributing to the development of pleural mesothelioma – which affects the lining of the lungs – over several decades.

Two of the names most closely linked to the tragedy of mesothelioma in Britain, are those of Chris and Mick Knighton.  Mick was exposed to asbestos while in the Royal Navy.  “The helmet he was first issued with as a gunner and the gauntlets given to him were all made of asbestos,” says Chris, Mick’s widow. “When the Navy realized all the ships were riddled with asbestos, they had them refitted, but the crews helped rip out the piping and bits which were to be removed.  They didn’t wear the proper ­protective clothing, they just got on with the job and many, many of them in effect condemned themselves to death in the process.  While the Royal Navy freely admits this is where Mick was exposed to asbestos and that it led to his developing mesothelioma, no one can sue the Crown, so he wasn’t entitled to any compensation.”

Since Mick’s death of naval-related mesothelioma ten years ago at the age of 60, Chris has managed to raise £1million for the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 1st, 2011 at 9:42 am and is filed under News.