Mesothelioma Article

An Institute of Cancer Research/Health & Safety Executive report predicts that male mesothelioma deaths in the UK could peak around the year 2020, reaching between 2,700 and 3,300 deaths that year alone. The current level is around 1,000.

Mesothelioma deaths caused by asbestos could treble by the year 2020. A major Institute of Cancer Research/HSE report* predicts that male mesothelioma deaths could peak around the year 2020, reaching between 2,700 and 3,300 deaths that year alone. The current level is around 1,000.

The report also gives an alternative prediction of a peak of 1,300 in the year 2010. But this lower figure is dependent upon the cessation of current growth trends.

Of particular concern is that the death rate of men under 50, most of whom started work from the mid-1960s, will continue to increase. In fact, mesothelioma may account for 1% of all deaths of men born in the 1940s--the worst rate for all age-groups.

The report expresses surprise at this finding, as "the carcinogenic effects of asbestos were widely recognised by the mid-1960s." The increase is attributed to the fact that "most exposures (not the most intense, but affecting large numbers) occurred in occupational settings, particularly in the building industry which were and still are largely unmonitored."

Asbestos Removal Doubts

Other key findings of the report include:

* building workers, especially plumbers, gas fitters, carpenters and electricians, are most at risk. The HSE has recently targeted a campaign at these workers (HSB 231 p.7); and

* it is too soon to assess the contribution of asbestos removal to the mesothelioma epidemic. The campaign in the 1980s to remove asbestos from schools and public buildings "was founded on fear rather than evidence". But "the creation of the new, and initially inadequately regulated, industry of asbestos removal may well have increased the burden of future occupational asbestos disease."

The HSE claims that the risk from asbestos is much less than in the past, due to limited use and improved controls. But it insists there is no room for complacency, particularly around casual exposure of young and inexperienced workers.

Asbestos--through mesothelioma and asbestosis--currently causes 3,000 deaths each year. Although the HSE expects this figure to rise to over 5,000, it maintains that existing legislative controls and advice are "adequate".

Mesothelioma |