Mesothelioma statistics

Shocking new figures from the HSE show the terrible human cost of exposure to asbestos. The latest statistics show that between 1980 and 2000, 8,347 men and about 1,300 women died from mesothelioma.

The main groups of workers at risk are metal plate workers, vehicle body builders, plumbers and gas fitters, carpenters and electricians.

Workers aged between 45 and 60 were particularly badly affected. At least 2,247 men of that age died from mesothelioma, with probably another 4,500 dying from other asbestos-related diseases, mainly lung cancer. This represents about 2% of deaths of men in that age group.

The statistics are available at www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/occ80000.pdf or from HSE's Epidemiology and Medical Statistics Unit, phone 0151 951 3051/3479.