Letter : Forgotten victims of asbestos dust
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Professor Nick Wikeley
Sir: Quoting the Health and Safety Executive, your report of the asbestos fallout in Birkenhead ("The day a strange snow came down on Birkenhead", 18 May) states that "suspicions of a link between asbestos and lung disease were aired in the 1920s". In fact, the Principal Lady Inspector of Factories had drawn attention to the "evil effects of asbestos dust" in her annual reports of 1898, 1900 and 1906.
The asbestos textile industry was predominantly a female occupation at that time, which may account for the failure to pay sufficient regard to these warnings. A study by Clydeside Action on Asbestos in the 1990s suggests that women - "the forgotten victims" - still face problems in claiming disablement benefit because of the assumption that asbestos-related disease is solely associated with heavy industry (eg, shipyards). So much for learning the lessons of history.
Yours sincerely,
NICK WIKELEY
Faculty of Law
University of Southampton
Southampton
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments