Asbestosis

Deaths from asbestosis continue to increase in Great Britain, a legacy of heavy exposures to asbestos in the past.

The latest information shows:

• In 2010 there were 412 deaths where asbestosis is likely to have contributed as a cause compared with 109 in 1978. (Asbestosis register).
• There were 169 deaths in 2010 where asbestosis was specifically recorded as the underlying cause of death. (Asbestosis register).
• Numbers of newly assessed cases for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit have increased more rapidly than asbestosis deaths in recent years.
• The number of newly assessed cases for 2011 was 725. (IIDB).

Asbestosis deaths and disablement benefit cases 1978-2011