Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team

The Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team is a registered charity for the relief of people who
have suffered ill-health, injury or become disabled from their work with asbestos.
They also help victim's families by the provision of support, advice and assistance.
DAST is also linked with other asbestos support groups throughout the UK and abroad
to work together to ensure all those injured are offered the support and assistance as required. 

In 2007 DAST launched its own support group in this area for people and families suffering from the effects of Asbestos.

http://www.asbestossupport.co.uk/

http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/basics.htm

Did you know that every week on average...

4 plumbers die
20 tradesmen die
6 electricians die
8 joiners die

...all from this hidden killer.

Asbestos

Asbestos is the name given to a naturally occurring mineral which was frequently used during the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's in manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding.

Asbestos was widely used because it was non-flammable, flexible, virtually indestructible and low heat-conducting. It was considered to be perfect for use in insulation, brake linings, and cement and fire-proofing.

There are three different types of asbestos. The first is called Crocidolite and is more commonly known as Blue Asbestos - this was used mainly in the textile industry and was banned from use in the UK in 1985. The second is called Amosite and is more commonly known as Brown Asbestos - this was mainly used for insulation and was also banned from being used in the UK in 1985. The third is called Chrysotile and is more commonly known as White Asbestos - this was used in both the textile and building industries and was banned from being used in the UK in 1999.

Although asbestos was very useful, it was very dangerous too. Asbestos is made up of millions of fibres which when inhaled into the lungs is very dangerous.

Asbestos Related Diseases

Asbestos related diseases take many years to develop. The average interval between inhaling asbestos fibres and the onset of symptoms is around 35 years and can be as long as 50 years or more. The shortest latency period is between 10 to 15 years.

If you worked with asbestos, even if it was many years ago you may be affected. Asbestos related disease also occur among the wives and children of those who come into contact with the relative's overalls worn whilst working with asbestos.

There are many different types of asbestos related conditions and they each vary in severity. The conditions include Pleural Plaques, Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer and Asbestosis. Asbestosis is often misused as a term for any asbestos related disease.

If you have developed any asbestos related condition (with the exception of pleural plaques) and, if it can be proven that you were exposed to the asbestos due to someone else's fault then you would be entitled to bring in a personal injury claim for compensation.

The chance of developing an asbestos-related illness from a one-off incident of low level exposure is not impossible but very unlikely.  One point to remember is that the earlier an asbestos related disease is diagnosed, the better the condition can be monitored or treated.

X-Rays, scans and lung-function tests can diagnose an asbestos related disease and monitor its progression.

http://www.thompsons.law.co.uk/index.htm

http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/

http://www.asbestossupport.co.uk/index.html

http://www.mesothelioma.uk.com/news-24.htm

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx