The Asbestos Information CIC have been collecting data between 01.05.2022 and 30.04.2024 as to the presence of asbestos and it is noted that there has been over 381,398 inspections and surveys completed across this timeframe. It was identified that at least 150 million asbestos items are contained within public buildings across the UK.  

An interactive map (The Asbestos Risk Map – Asbestos Information) has been provided to examine the relative risk of asbestos exposure (and developing mesothelioma) compared to the risk of being involved in a road accident, depending upon location. Using the UK’s parliamentary constituencies, it was noted that one town’s relative risk of asbestosis exposure was shockingly high, with asbestos related deaths being  x8 higher than for road traffic accidents.

In Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s constituency of Holborn and St Pancras, around 40,000 buildings contain asbestos, with more than half containing the highest risk variety. 

During the two years of the study, 153 asbestos surveys were conducted in South Shields and 1,088 items of the material were found. Many were in a condition likely to cause fibres to be released into the air. Mortality statistics for mesothelioma covering this period are not yet fully available but during the years 2018-2022, the disease caused 63 deaths in the constituency, while there were only eight caused by road traffic accidents. 

MP Emma Lewell-Buck, who is from this consistency, has had personal experience of asbestos due to the sad passing of her grandfather due to mesothelioma, further to him working in the shipyards. She commented: “When I opened the findings about South Shields, my researcher just said: “Oh my god. This is terrible,”…  ‘And I felt the same way. I was shocked – but when I thought about it, I wasn’t really surprised. 

‘We were the makers and the builders, and we kept this country going. The legacy of that, from the shipyards and the mines, is illness caused by asbestos. Everyone knows somebody who has been affected by it, even my own family. 

 The highest areas of exposure to asbestos compared to a road traffic accidents are: 

 Constituency 

	Ratios between Asbestos Exposure and RTA
South Sheilds	7:1
Tynemouth	6.8:1
Mid-Dunbartonshire	6.5:1
Plymouth	5:1
Jarrow	4.95:1
South End West and Leigh	4.86:1
Aberdeen	3.78:1
Wallasey	3.48:1

 

The Asbestos Information CIC is now calling for a national database of asbestos to help with removing asbestos urgently throughout the country. They want to introduce a system whereby there is an A to G rating based on the asbestos content, similarly to how we rate hygiene in restaurants. Charles Pickles, of campaign group Airtight on Asbestos, comments as follows in respect of the report: 

 ‘Understanding the location and condition of asbestos in buildings is vital for the development of a strategy that can lead to the removal of asbestos from all buildings, starting with those that present the greatest risk.’ 

 He added the aim is to be asbestos free by 2065 and believes this could be achieved with the correct measures in place.  

 Liz Darlison, CEO of Mesothelioma UK, also commented: 

 ‘We are keen to support initiatives that prevent others experiencing the same devastating diagnosis. 

‘We welcome the findings of this important report, and hope that the Government will take the necessary action, by adopting the proposals set out here, to help protect future generations.’ 

If you or a loved one have been exposed to asbestos and want to discuss with our specialist industrial disease team how we may be able to help, please contact us on 01482 323697.