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Hopes for asbestos death cases (From This is The West Country)
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Hopes for asbestos death cases
11:36am Friday 23rd January 2009
THE West Somerset Coroner says he hopes the number of asbestos-related deaths has “peaked” after dealing with his second case this month.
Michael Rose made the comment during the inquest of John Studley, 59, of Swain Street, Watchet.
He also expressed “concern” about the number of cases he dealt with in which the deceased had spent time working at the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) in Puriton – the place where Mr Studley believed he contracted mesothelioma.
Mr Studley had a long history of working with and around asbestos, the inquest heard.
Born in 1948, he left school at 15 and worked as an apprentice chemical plumber at ROF.
In a statement made before his death, he recalled working with pipes coated in asbestos lagging and said his face would often be very close to it when being removed. He also cut asbestos gaskets in the workshop.
Mr Rose said he came in contact with asbestos at Hinkley Point, British Cellophane in Bridgwater, while plumbing for Sedgemoor District Council and while working abroad.
At the hearing at West Somerset Magistrates Court on Tuesday, the inquest heard Mr Studley started having chest problems in January 2006.
A course of antibiotics seemed to help the pain but it soon returned. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in July that year and died in June 2008.
Wife of 20 years Alma said her husband felt his time at the Royal Ordnance Factory contributed to his ill health and said a successful compensation claim was made.
Mr Rose said: “I have been sat here for over 40 years and a couple of factors concern me.
“One is this factory where I’ve had case after case of people coming in contact with asbestos and getting mesothelioma.
“Secondly, I dealt with an increased number of cases last year, and this is the second case this year.
“I’m hoping we are coming to a peak very shortly then hopefully it will clear.”
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The hearing was held at West Somerset Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
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