The number of people who could contract cancer from asbestos poisoning in London’s hospitals is a “ticking time bomb”, it has been claimed.

BBC London has found 94% of hospitals in the capital contain asbestos.

About 1,000 people have died from mesothelioma since 2011 in London, seven of which were doctors and nurses.
The government said many parts of the NHS estate date from an era when asbestos was widely used but it is considered safe if left undisturbed.

Jerry Swain, acting national instructor for Unite’s construction centre, and lawyer Isobel Lovett, who has dealt with asbestos cases for 17 years, have both described the number of people who are developing mesothelioma as like a “ticking time bomb”.

“White asbestos in hospitals is still a danger – there’s no safe form of asbestos,” said Ms Lovett. “There’s no safe level of dust to which you can be exposed. All asbestos dust, once breathed in, presents a hazard.”

She added that while the source of white asbestos remains in hospitals, there was always a danger that someone could inadvertently disturb it in some way and release the dangerous fibres.

Mr Swain added: “It’s very hard to imagine a killer being safe. Asbestos is a known killer, people are dying from it. The only safe asbestos is asbestos that’s been removed.

“If we’re going to leave asbestos in places, we have to be aware that we are taking a conscious decision and that people will die.”

He said a plan was needed to eradicate it because some workers may be unaware of the dangers.

A spokesperson for NHS Improvement, part of the Department of Health, said: “In common with buildings across the country, many parts of the NHS estate date from an era when asbestos was widely used. Asbestos is considered safe if it is undisturbed.

“Nationally, there are strict rules and regulations in place so that asbestos is registered and safely contained. When building or other work is carried out, experts are bought in to properly and safely dispose of it.

“Safety is and always will be our top priority. We continue to work with trusts to ensure that their estate remains a safe environment for all patients and staff.”

Mesothelioma

  • About 2,600 people die each year in the UK from Mesothelioma which affects the lungs
  • Symptoms include breathlessness, cough, chest pain, night sweats and in rare cases damage to the spinal cord
  • The median survival rate is 12 months, chemotherapy treatment can add two to three months
  • People who worked in offices and buildings with asbestos are being increasingly diagnosed, rather than just those who had direct contact with the material
  • In areas with high risk exposure, about 5-10% individuals will develop it

Source: Doctor Peter Szlosarek, consultant oncologist at Barts Hospital who is studying mesothelioma