Asbestos Increase Lung Cancer Risk In Tradesmen

Most tradesmen don't have enough information about risks posed by asbestos, such as lung

British Lung Foundation questioned 400 people working as builders, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, joiners and gas fitters. Only 12% of them were aware about health risks associated with asbestos. About 25% of them though there are safe levels. 3/4 of them did not have any information and training on safety measures while working with asbestos.

Asbestos were being used as building materials in 1980s. Newer buildings are supposed not to have asbestos, but according to expert, some buildings remodeled before 2000 still have the material. It is a legal measure for tradesmen hirers to notify them about asbestos existence.

81% of questioned workers have never even asked about the building checked for asbestos before starting working. About 1/3 of them believe that asbestos have been completely removed from all British buildings. One out of ten builders have been working under pressure even knowing about asbestos existence.

Asbestos poses high risk for mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer. Its fibres maybe lodged in lungs while breathing. Tradesmen have higher risk for the disease. There are 20 builders dying each week, and the number of sufferers keeps increasing. It takes from 15 to 60 years for cancer to develop after asbestos exposure. The number of sufferers is estimated to be the highest from 2011 to 2015.

British Lung Foundation advises all tradesmen to be informed about health risks posed by asbestos, make sure to have safety equipment while working in such buildings. There are training courses for builders on how to identify asbestos and what to do in case of existence.