Dangers of asbestos highlighted

The dangers of exposure to asbestos have been highlighted in a campaign by the Health and Safety Executive.

According to its figures, 331 men in Devon died from mesothelioma, a terminal form of cancer caused by asbestos, between 1981 and 2005.

In Cornwall, 249 men died from the disease and there was one case in the Isles of Scilly.

The HSE wants to raise awareness among manual trade workers such as plumbers and electricians.

'Long latency'

Rob Pearce, the HSE principal inspector for Devon and Cornwall, said: "We want them to change the way they work so that they don't put their lives at risk.

"Exposure to asbestos is the biggest single cause of work-related deaths."

According to the HSE, 25% of the 4,000 asbestos-related deaths each year are tradesmen and women, and the number is rising.

The British Lung Foundation said: "Sadly, for many who have been exposed to asbestos dust it's too late, asbestos-related diseases have a long latency."

The HSE said many workers believed that because asbestos was banned years ago they were no longer at risk of exposure.

But the "deadly dust" could be present in any building built or refurbished before 2000, the organisation revealed.