547 people died in North Tyneside from Asbestos related cancer deaths within the last 4 decades between 1981 and 2019. Hartlepool had 206 deaths and Sunderland had 156 deaths over the same period. There was 2,369 Mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain in total in 2019.
The death toll emerged as MPs launched an inquiry into how the material is being managed.
Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma , a cancer which affects the lining of some organs, including the lungs.
The figures also show the mesothelioma death rate among men in the area, taking age differences into account, is higher than the national average as they worked in industries that are associated with asbestos exposure such as shipyards and construction sites.
The Work and Pensions Committee, which launched the inquiry, said that despite the importation, supply and use of asbestos being banned in the UK since 1999, it remains the largest single cause of work-related fatalities.
The HSE said: “Sadly, the damage from exposure to asbestos takes many decades to show itself and it can be up to 40 years before disease is detectable.
“This means that cases now normally result from exposures which predate the 1980s when the regulations and work practices were significantly tightened.”
Beecham Peacock have been fighting on behalf of workers in the NE for Asbestos compensation for almost 70 years since establishing in 1953 . Please contact us on 0191 232 3048 if you or a family member has been diagnosed with an asbestos related condition to speak to one of our experienced solicitors directly.
