Another young victim lost because of asbestos exposure
A father suffering an asbestos illness sadly died on the 27th December 2011 shortly after watching his four-year-old daughter open her Christmas presents. Glynn Davies, of Brighouse, West Yorkshire, suffered from pleural thickening associated with asbestos exposure.
Pleural Thickening
Pleural thickening is when the pleural membrane (two-layered membrane surrounding the lungs) thickens as a result of the chronic irritation and inflammation that asbestos fibres cause when they are inhaled and lodge in the lungs. This disease causes pain and breathlessness because the lung has difficulty in expanding and contracting. This reduces quality of life and there is presently no cure. Pleural thickening is generally regarded as non terminal, however is seen as an indicator of asbestos exposure and therefore one of the more serious asbestos related diseases may develop. More serious and terminal asbestos diseases include asbestosis, asbestos related lung cancer and mesothelioma.
There is normally around a 1 – 5% risk of developing a further asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma following pleural thickening. It can take around 10 – 20 years from first exposure to asbestos until pleural thickening is first detected on a chest x-ray.
Mr Davies – Asbestos Victim
Glynn Davies lived with his wife Adele and their daughter, Mia. On December 23 he was admitted to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, but managed to come home to celebrate Christmas Day. He had returned home to see his daughter Mia open her presents. Glynn returned to hospital later that night and sadly died there on the 27th. Our thoughts and best wishes are Glynns family and friends.
Preventing Exposure
Did you know that under The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, asbestos awareness training is required to be given to employees whose work could foreseeably expose them to asbestos. This training is for those persons who are liable to disturb asbestos while carrying out their normal everyday work, or who may influence how work is carried out.
We would always recommend using a UKATA (United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association) registered member for any level of asbestos training. UKATA sets standards in asbestos training and ensures that its members meet those standards.
If you would like to learn more about pleural thickening and other asbestos related diseases, get a quote now and book a place on one of our asbestos awareness training courses.