Alison Seabeck MP

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Plymouth Hosts Asbestos Risk Roadshow

Plymouth’s city centre hosted a national roadshow highlighting the devastating affects of asbestos exposure and to warn of the risks.

The National Asbestos Helpline (NAH) parked its tour bus in the Place de Brest on Wednesday (July 14) where more than 300 people stopped to access advice and support.

Alison Seabeck MP for Plymouth Moore View attended the event along with Dr Clive McGavin, Consultant Respiratory and General Physician at Nuffield Hospital and representative for the British Lung Foundation.

Alison said: “Plymouth is of course a hot-spot for asbestos-related diseases. A considerable number of people will have or are worried that they may have one of the linked diseases. So, I wasn’t surprised to see a significant amount of interest in the National Asbestos Helpline’s awareness road show from the people of Plymouth.

“Particularly impressive was the depth of advice available to a range of enquiries from both older residents, who may have worked with asbestos, and from younger people, some of whom may have had contact with asbestos through DIY in the home or current work.

“The importance of awareness of asbestos and the dangers it poses can not be underestimated. I congratulate the NAH for the work it does and in making sure the people of Plymouth benefit from their advice and experience.”

Dr McGavin said: “The public must not think of asbestos as a 20th Century substance. We’re going to see the effects of asbestos well into the 21st Century because of two factors: the substance persists in pipe lagging, buildings and cement and doesn’t degrade; and also the very long period between exposure and developing a related disease.

“Once exposed there is nothing a person can do to prevent future related diseases. So, while the risk of developing mesothelioma from DIY is small the health costs is extremely high.

“If you’re aware you’ve had some exposure to asbestos you don’t need to be screened if you’re well but if you have chest symptoms in mid to late life don’t hesitate to go to your general practitioner.”

Plymouth was chosen as a roadshow venue because it has the worst mortality rate in South West England for mesothelioma, which in almost all cases is caused by asbestos exposure.

Within the next five years it is expected the number of deaths will escalate dramatically in the area because of the 15-to-50 year delay between exposure to asbestos and the development of the cancer.

Richard Clarke, from the National Asbestos Helpline, says: “Many people’s lives in the Plymouth area have been effected by the city’s devastating industrial legacy, and even today there is still a risk of exposure. We really hope the roadshow raises awareness of the terrible risks and provides essential help to patients and their families.

“We’re also very grateful to have the assistance of the British Lung Foundation during our roadshow. In turn we are committed to supporting this vital charity in its research to improve treatment, care and support for people affected by mesothelioma.”

From the NAH bus passers-by could access free information about asbestos-related diseases, legal advice and vital support services. The British Lung Foundation (BLF) was also on hand to provide advice and support and information from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was made available.

The National Asbestos Helpline is a leading service for asbestos-related disease civil claims and state entitlement benefit. The NAH also provides access to advice and support to the thousands of sufferers and carers affected.

For more information call 0800 043 6635 or click on www.nationalasbestos.co.uk.

The NAH is supporting the BLF to help raise awareness of asbestos-related diseases across the UK and has chosen the organisation as its charity of the year. To learn more about the invaluable work of the BLF click on www.lunguk.org or call the helpline 08458 50 50 20.

Caption (l-r): John Gibson and Raymond Goodwright.