Workers warned of asbestos danger

Cancer mesothelioma is caused by breathing in asbestos fibres

Workers have been warned about the danger of asbestos in London, which has one of the highest rates of related deaths in the UK.

Sixty women in Barking and Dagenham, east London, died from asbestos-related cancer between 1981 and 2005 - five times the national mortality rate.

It killed 2,663 men in London in that period, with carpenters, joiners and plumbers being at greatest risk.

The Health Service Executive said: "The risks are not a thing of the past."

Terminal cancer mesothelioma, caused by breathing in asbestos fibres, claims about 20 worker's lives in the UK every week, the Health Service Executive (HSE) said.

The cancer resulted in 104 deaths in Lewisham, 78 in Wandsworth and 68 in Southwark up to 2005, the latest figures available show.

Workers most at risk of exposure to asbestos are those who are likely to disturb or damage it.

Chris Morgan, 58, was exposed to asbestos while working in central London

These include women working as cleaners, domestic and sales staff.

Chris Morgan, a 58-year-old former pipe fitter from Lewisham, suffers from terminal cancer after being exposed to asbestos while working in Westminster, central London.

He said: "I think it's absolutely disgusting that there are people still being exposed to this material.

He added: "If they come across something that looks like it could be asbestos they should report it and not disturb it until they know for sure."

HSE director Stephen Williams said: "If you are not 100% certain that there is no asbestos where you are working, then don't start work. It is not worth the risk."