Asbestos death toll grows

Len Tingle Editor Politics Show Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

High profile Government safety drives regularly highlight the fact that almost three thousand people die in road accidents every year - but little is heard of asbestos which kills at least twice as many.

Has the government learned the lessons to protect us against the deadly dust?

Campaigners say much more needs to be spent on raising the awareness of the danger of exposure to asbestos; research into medical solutions and compensation for victims and their families.

Leeds, in West Yorkshire has long been the focus of anger over asbestos.

From before the First World War, the JW Roberts factory in the city's Armley district churned out millions of tons of the stuff, to be used in the manufacture of everything from building products to brake pads.

Deadly dust

The factory has been shut for 50 years, but asbestos dust accidentally released in the atmosphere at the time is still killing people who lived in the neighbouring streets of terraced houses.

Asbestos fibres if ingested can cause lethal damage

Even though the factory site was decontaminated long ago, fibres of asbestos ingested in the past can potentially cause lethal damage.

It was not until the 1970's that a conclusive medical link was made between exposure to asbestos fibres and some of the most lethal forms of cancer.

By that time asbestos had been a wonder product for decades. In its naturally raw state it was cheap to obtain as a form of sand mined in many different parts of the world.

Handle with care

The Armley factory was one of many across the UK which converted it into fibres which could be mixed with cement or fabrics to fireproof or insulate.

As buildings where it was used start to deteriorate, then there is a danger that the deadly asbestos fibres will be released.

Tradesmen who maintain and repair buildings are more at risk

According to research commissioned by the TUC, up to 8,000 people are dying every year of asbestos-related diseases.

It estimates that the death rate will slow down, but the first half of the 21st century will see as many as 180,000 people losing their lives through exposure to asbestos.

Michael Clapham, MP for Barnsley West and Penistone, is a member of the all party asbestos group. He says that today people who are most at risk are tradesmen who maintain and repair buildings.

"It doesn't take much exposure. Sometimes just a few hours," he says." But the damage is done. It might not develop into an asbestos based disease for years but when it does the consequences are all too apparent."

Clare Frisby presents The Politics Show for Yorkshire Lincolnshire from 11:00 on BBC One.