Mesothelioma Death From Washing Clothes Contaminated with Asbestos

Eastbourne Today

A WOMAN who died from lung cancer may have been exposed to deadly asbestos while washing her husband's work clothes.

A post mortem examination into the death of Hazel Lea, 60, of Martello Road, showed she had multiple tumour deposits in the right lung.

The cause of death was given as bronchopneumonia due to mesothelioma.

Mrs Lea's widower, Anthony Lea, said his wife had worked in various jobs including as a roller for Birdseye, in a warehouse and for Ladbrokes.

A barrister on behalf of Spray Finishing Limited, where Mr Lea worked for a period of time, questioned whether she may have come into contact with asbestos during her own employment.

The inquest heard how Mr Lea, who was married to his wife for 41 years, often came home from one of his jobs 'covered in dust'" after he had been cutting asbestos sheets.

He said, "I used to take my clothes off and she would shake them and wash them.

"The dust from the clothes was like a fog."

He was asked by a barrister on behalf of Spray Finishing Limited, which was based in Eastbourne between 1960 and 1992, if there was any other employment where he used to come home covered in dust.

Mr Lea, who suffers from respiratory problems, said as far as he knew he hadn't been, although he had come into contact with mud on building sites.

Coroner Alan Craze recorded a narrative verdict and said, "Exposure to asbestos may have been from washing her husband's work clothes."

Speaking after the hearing Roger Hiorns, a barrister on behalf of the family, said a civil claim was likely to take place.