Action Needed On Mesothelioma

To mark Mesothelioma Awareness Day, balloons will be released tomorrow in Chesterfield Town Centre in memory of all those who have been made ill by exposure to asbestos. Liberal Democrat MP for Chesterfield Paul Holmes said:

"Mesothelioma is a common form of cancer caused by asbestos fibres inhaled into the lungs of those who worked in occupations where asbestos was in widespread use. Yet few people are aware of it.

"It is so widespread because asbestos was so widely used in the building trades, engineering, electrical work, insulation, brake linings and a host of other uses.

"The peak in deaths from this cause will only be reached by around 2015 - 2020.

"It is essential that the Government takes action to ensure that previous employers and present Insurance Companies promptly meet their obligations to provide compensation to the employees whose health was destroyed by the negligent exposure of workers to asbestos dust."

"The Derbyshire Asbestos Support team do a superb job of both campaigning for changes in the law on this issue and of helping individuals and their relatives when the mesothelioma strikes.

"Their awareness day on Tuesday 27th February is an important part of the national campaign and I was honoured to have been able to help launch the first one last year.

"This year I will be attending the awareness event in parliament but I urge everyone in Chesterfield and the surrounding area to go along and support what will be a very informative meeting at the Winding Wheel."