4,000 asbestos deaths a year, says HSE

Asbestos is killing 4,000 people a year in the UK, and the number could rise further, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The figure was published to herald a new campaign to increase awareness of the dangers of asbestos among tradespeople. It was launched by footballer and former tradesman Ian Wright.

The HSE says many plumbers, electricians and joiners underestimate the continuing threat posed by asbestos. A quarter of asbestos victims are tradespeople, and it is the biggest single cause of work-related deaths.

The HSE says deaths from asbestos are likely to rise to 5,000 per year over the next five years. The most common illness caused by asbestos is mesothelioma, though it can take 50 years to develop.

The material was banned in 2000, but was previously used for insulation and fireproofing, and is estimated to exist in 500,000 UK buildings.

Earlier this week, asbestos was discovered in London's famous Selfridges store.