More assistance is required for women who suffer asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma, according to asbestos activists.
Women are often overlooked since, in sectors such as shipbuilding, it is generally males who become victims.
However, as a result of asbestos exposure at work, an increasing number of women are getting asbestos-related diseases, such as
mesothelioma.
On Saturday, October 14th, the Clydeside ‘Action on Asbestos’ organisation hosted an event to bring together individuals who have been
affected by asbestos at work.
They claim that there is much more that can be done to increase awareness.
Women who have been exposed to asbestos at work
Jane Capaldi, a 64-year-old woman from Kilbirnie in Ayrshire, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in June 2015.
She had gone to visit her doctor since she had been suffering with a chronic cough for some time.
Jane was taken aback when she learned she had mesothelioma.
They speculated that she contracted mesothelioma while washing her husband’s work clothing.
“However, the timing was off by years ” my husband did not work in heavy industry when we married,” Jane explained.
“I had worked in the offices of the old Coats plant in Paisley, and we would frequently walk by the manufacturing area.”
“You’d see exposed pipes and dust-covered surfaces. You had no clue ” no one had warned you about the dangers, and no one had
warned you that there may be a problem. ”
“The diagnosis is terrible, especially given how long it has been since you were exposed to this material.”
“However, with the help of those who have been impacted, you move through it as best you can.”
Another woman, 69-year-old Mary Carroll of Glasgow, was diagnosed only three months ago with mesothelioma.
“I studied as a cashier bookkeeper and worked for firms in Glasgow,” Mary explained. In the first place, we worked in the dunny, which
was a locked office.”
“I became an office supervisor, and you’d travel through distribution warehouses and manufacturing shop floors in every location I
worked.”
“Asbestos was formerly thought to be a superb fireproof material. We had no clue there were any dangers. ”
“Years have passed since I was diagnosed with this fatal illness.”
“I had a very harsh cough, which doctors initially mistook for a chest illness and prescribed medication for.”
“There is no cure, so you do the best you can with what you have. Clydeside Action on Asbestos has been really helpful.”
Asbestos is still found in many Scottish structures.
In Scotland, asbestos is still present in many historic structures, including workplaces, schools, hospitals, offices, and municipal buildings.
“We realise the awful legacy of sickness and early death that asbestos has imposed on those who worked directly in heavy industry,” said
Laura Blane of Thompsons, one of Scotland’s top asbestos attorneys.
“However, the extent to which exposure has harmed people who worked in offices, schools, and hospitals that were lined with the material
is less widely known.”
“Women make up a large portion of these casualties. That is why the CAA’s event is so essential, and their continuous awareness-raising
effort is something we wholeheartedly support.”
