HSE REPORTS SHOW A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN MESOTHELIOMA DEATHS OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS
August 28th, 2008 by HinchliffesMesothelioma is a form of cancer where there sufferer is found to have affected cells in the mesothelium, which is the protective sac covering most of the body’s internal organs. The condition mainly affects the lining of the lungs (the pleura) and the area around the lower digestive tract (the peritoneum).
The majority of sufferers develop the condition as a result of inhaling asbestos fibres, usually while at work, and many are able to successfully pursue work related industrial disease claims.Â
A significant period of time can elapse between the first exposure to asbestos and diagnosis with the condition. This is seldom less than 15 years, and can even be up to 60 years. As a result the current mortality rates is a reflection of the poor working practices and conditions of the UK’s industrial past.



