According to HSE (2024) statistics, an estimated 13 people die from asbestos-related diseases every day. This adds up to over 5,000 deaths per year caused by asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestos can cause many health risks. For example, the inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause cancers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other serious lung diseases such as asbestosis and pleural thickening. In 2022 there were 2,257 mesothelioma deaths with a similar number of lung cancer deaths linked to past exposures to asbestos. What’s more, there were 493 asbestosis deaths in 2022 mentioning asbestosis on the death certificate (excluding deaths that also mention mesothelioma).
Figure 1. UKATA – Asbestos Health Statistics
All asbestos-related diseases typically take many years (15-60 years) to develop so current statistics reflect the legacy of past working conditions. Widespread use of asbestos containing products in the past, particularly in the post-WWII building industry, led to a large increase in asbestos-related disease in Great Britain over the last few decades. The cancer, mesothelioma, has such a strong relationship with asbestos that annual deaths give a particularly clear view of the effect of past exposures. Annual mesothelioma deaths increased substantially over decades, largely due to asbestos exposure before 1980. Figures for the last two years suggest overall numbers may now be starting to reduce.
Figure 2. UKATA – Asbestos Health Statistics
Asbestos is not just a problem of the past and should be recognised as a health and safety risk to those working where asbestos may be present.
At MBO Safety Services Limited, we offer UKATA Asbestos Awareness training which is suitable for anyone who may encounter asbestos containing materials in the course of their work. This includes builders, electricians, fitters, joiners, plumbers and many more trades. As well as this we run a separate Asbestos Awareness course, but to attend this course delegates must have an in-date UKATA Asbestos Awareness certificate in order to sit this course.
Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to book your place on either of the above mentioned courses, we would be happy to help.
Source: HSE