Asbestos Related Deaths on the Rise in England

The rate of deaths from asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma in England is climbing, according to the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).

APIL has based its claim on Office for National Statistics figures, which show that the average rate of deaths from mesothelioma in England is 4.5 deaths per 100,000 people. This is a significant increase over the rate in the period 2008-2012, which was 2.6.

APIL has also compiled the ten areas with the highest mortality rates for mesothelioma in England. Barrow-in-Furness tops the list with a mortality rate three times the average for England. The three areas with the highest mortality rates for mesothelioma are:

• Barrow-in-Furness (14.3 deaths per 100,000 people)
• South Tyneside (11.1 deaths)
• North Tyneside (10.9 deaths)

“Mesothelioma is a legacy of Britain’s industrial heritage,” said Jonathan Wheeler, president of not-for-profit group APIL, which is campaigning for more help for sick and dying workers. “Thankfully, employers nowadays are more aware of the dangers of exposing workers to asbestos. But those who were exposed 30 or 40 years ago are now facing death sentences for simply turning up to work.”

Projections from the Health and Safety Executive predict that male deaths from mesothelioma will peak in 2020.

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