A shocking reality has surfaced in Surrey: more than 1,000 people in the county have died from mesothelioma, a devastating and incurable cancer often linked to asbestos exposure.
According to new research, between 1981 and 2021, 1,055 people in Surrey lost their lives to this aggressive disease.
The highest numbers of deaths were reported in Guildford (127), followed by Reigate and Banstead (126), Waverley (107), and Mole Valley (101).
The figures are a grim reminder of the lasting impact asbestos has had on communities.
Mesothelioma develops in the lining that covers the outer surface of some of the body’s organs, primarily the lungs. It’s almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure – a material once widely used in construction and other industries.
Despite regulations limiting asbestos use, its legacy persists. Asbestos is still found in an estimated 1.5 million residential and commercial buildings across the U.K. This lingering presence puts construction workers, firefighters, industrial workers, as well as healthcare and education professionals, at continued risk.
Jordan Bell, head of asbestos claims at Slater and Gordon Lawyers, highlights the varied and often subtle symptoms of mesothelioma. “There is a wide variety of symptoms, and each patient may experience them in a slightly different way. However, common threads include a persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and extreme fatigue,” Bell explains.
He also dispels a dangerous misconception: “Many people believe asbestos to be a problem of the past, but that is simply not the case. The long latency period of mesothelioma – often several decades after exposure – leads some to mistakenly view it as yesterday’s issue. But the reality is that asbestos was used so extensively for such a long period that it remains a significant problem today.”
As these sobering statistics reveal, mesothelioma continues to claim lives in Surrey and beyond. It’s crucial to raise awareness about the ongoing risks of asbestos and to ensure that proper precautions are taken to protect those who might still be exposed. Knowledge and vigilance are key to preventing more lives from being lost to this silent killer.
Contact us for Asbestos Removal Surrey
For a professional and expert Asbestos Removal Surrey service, contact Meyer Southern Ltd. We are renowned for our quick service, expert work, accurate quotations, and delivering on budget for all asbestos surveys and asbestos removal needs.
We also can provide Asbestos Survey Surrey, if required.
To get in touch, just use our quick enquiry form on this page, e-mail admin@meyerenvironmental.co.uk, or telephone 0239 307 2182.
