Posts by Neil Bishop
The Silent Killer: Asbestos in People’s Homes
This week’s ‘Engineering & Technology’ magazine draws attention to a hidden killer, asbestos in the home. The article, by Ben Heubl, warns that DIY isn’t a harmless activity. When was asbestos used in British homes? Asbestos was first used in British homes in about 1870. It was particularly popular from the 1950s to the 1980s,…
Read MoreIt’s time for action, because actions speak louder than words
Politicians of all stripes sometimes fall victim to the delusion that if they say something will happen the problem has gone away. An old promise We reported at the beginning of December that Justin Tomlinson, the Minister for Disabled People, Health & Work had said the Department of Work and Pensions was resuming their assessment…
Read MoreHow to stop the fly-tipping of asbestos waste
Hardly a week goes by when there isn’t a report from somewhere in the UK about fly-tippers illegally dumping asbestos waste. Often it turns up close to footpaths or on country lanes. Sometimes it is even dumped at night in the middle of town and cities. Local residents are appalled and politicians vent their fury.…
Read MoreHow to campaign successfully to remove asbestos: on-line webinar, Friday 16 April 9.30am-1pm
Find out about the ongoing campaign to remove asbestos from buildings in the UK. We’ll tell you how you or your trade union can get involved. The speakers will explain the threat from asbestos in buildings and how it can be eradicated. There will be a break-out group about the campaign to remove asbestos from…
Read MoreA mesothelioma patients explains why she had the Covid-19 jab
Mesothelioma patient Emily Ward has written about her experience of having a vaccination against Covid-19. She says, ‘Patients with malignant mesothelioma and other cancers have a higher risk of infection, making us more vulnerable to the virus. The most important rule is to stay safe and avoid unnecessary risks. One of the best protections you…
Read MoreMPs to debate the Lump Sum regulations for asbestos related diseases
The motions to approve the draft Pnuemoconiosis and Mesothelioma Lump Sum Regulations for 2021 will be debated by MPs in the House of Commons on Tuesday 2 March. They will then vote on the Regulations. A good time to write to your MP This is a good time to write to your MP and ask…
Read MoreHow mesothelioma can affect your emotions
A new study by researchers at the University of Sheffield looks at the way mesothelioma can affect your emotional well-being. By ’emotions’ the researchers mean feelings like ‘loss, grief, anxiety and isolation’. They studied patient records over a 40 year period. Why is mesothelioma different from other cancers? Any cancer diagnosis can affect people in…
Read MoreHow to talk to children about your asbestos related disease
Adults sometimes try to avoid talking to one another about painful subjects such as illness, pain and loss. But young children are not afraid to ask questions and they can be very direct. It’s not unusual to be asked, ‘Why are you poorly, Granny?’ or ‘Are you going to die, Grandad?’ You can help them…
Read MoreThe role of our genes in mesothelioma
People often wonder they have got mesothelioma. Sometimes this happens after a very small exposure to asbestos. Our genes are one of the things which play a part. For instance, one gene, BAP1 or BRCA1 associated protein-1, mutates in some people. This seems to make them more vulnerable to mesothelioma. Chemoresistance The same gene also…
Read MoreMissing out! Messed about! What it’s like with asbestosis or pleural thickening in a covid pandemic
Missing out and messed about. All too often this is what it feels like if you have asbestosis or pleural thickening and you are waiting for your claim to benefits and compensation to be decided. And who’s messing them about and making them miss out? You guessed it! The government. Disabled people have been waiting…
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