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Five minute feature: Dealing with asbestos

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ASBESTOS can be found in many old buildings around the country.

Reporter Ben Evans finds out about the material and the devastation that exposure can have on families.

WORK to demolish the A&R building at Cheltenham Racecourse will have to include specialists removing asbestos.

The infamous material has been found at the venue and needs to be carefully dealt with before the revamp can begin.

At one time, it was once used regularly in properties because of its resistance to fire and the fact it was cheap.

But inhalation of the fibres can cause serious illnesses, including malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

It has now been banned by the EU in any construction – and has to be removed by specialist firms during any building work.

Cheltenham Borough Council follows strict guidelines, working with the Health and Safety Executive when dealing with the material.

A spokesman for the authority said: "Both Cheltenham Borough Council's Occupational Health and Safety Team and the Health and Safety Executive enforce health and safety legislation in workplaces, which includes work with asbestos.

"It can be difficult to explain fully our role, as it can be very different according to the specific circumstances but we are one of two enforcing authorities for health and safety in work premises, along with the HSE.

"The HSE operate the licensing unit and it provides licences to a limited number of contractors who complete the licensed asbestos work."

Exposure to asbestos can have a devastating effect on families.

Lisa Oliveri's father, Jack Moulder, was just 73 when he died of mesothelioma in December, decades after carpentry work exposed him to the toxic fibres.

Just a few short moments of contact can prove fatal by bringing on cancer in the lining of the lungs later in life.

Lisa, from Abbeydale, recently held a flashmob-style dance at The Brewery in Cheltenham to raise money for charity Mesothelioma UK.

"Dad worked as a carpenter in the earlier years of his working life," she said.

"He tried to think back to the jobs he did that may have exposed him to asbestos, there were only a couple of incidents.

"It only takes one time and then 20 to 40 years later down the line you can suffer the consequences and are stripped of your life."

Shortness of breath, coughing and pains in the chest are among some of the effects of the disease.

Once diagnosed, patients can expect to survive anything from six to 12 months.

The Moulder's world was upended as they were told Jack's condition was terminal.

"I remember the day mum called and told me not to panic," said Lisa.

The family is now calling on asbestos to be properly managed to prevent serious diseases in the future.

Cancer Research UK statistics show seven people a day were diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2010, with nine out of ten occurring in those over 60.

Due to the changing pattern of asbestos exposure the number of deaths is expected to peak in 2016 and then reduce.

Five minute feature: Dealing with asbestos


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