Study Based On WHO Data Reveals ‘Terrible Legacy’ Of Asbestos Exposure

By Rob Dixon

New research which estimates that a total of 2.18 million years of life have been lost as a result of the impact of mesothelioma demonstrates the shocking legacy that asbestos has had on so many people, according to legal specialists.

The study carried out by experts in Japan and Indonesia used an indicator known as Potential Years of Life Lost to measure the burden of mesothelioma and asbestosis in line with deaths reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) between 1994 and 2010.

It found that 128,015 people who died from mesothelioma lost a total of 2.19 million years of life, while the 13,855 persons who passed away as a result of asbestosis lost 180,000 years of life.

Irwin Mitchell’s team of asbestos-related disease lawyers specialise in helping victims, as well as the families of those killed as a result of such conditions, to gain justice and answers over their exposure to the deadly material.

Iain Shoolbred, a legal expert in asbestos claims at the national law firm’s Birmingham office, said: “This new research based on WHO data has highlighted the enormous impact that exposure to asbestos has on so many lives, with victims missing out on a huge number of years of life as a result of developing conditions such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.

“Perhaps another issue which the research fails to acknowledge is the impact that such issues also have on a victim’s loved ones. We see on many occasions how families face huge emotional turmoil as they see loved one’s health deteriorate – very often decades after they were originally exposed to asbestos.

“These kinds of figures show why we continue to call for improvements to be made in safety regarding the handling of asbestos, as well as the safe removal of the material from buildings or environments where it could pose a risk to workers and the general public.”

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos, our expert mesothelioma lawyers could help you claim compensation. See our Asbestos-Related Disease Claims Guide for more information.