Report: Trish Ireland

West Lancashire and Southport Breathe Easy Group members were very pleased to have John Flanagan of the Merseyside Asbestos Victim Support Group (MAVS) as our speaker at our most recent meeting.

John is an expert on asbestos-caused lung disease, which is unfortunately not on the decline, quite the reverse, although the dangers of asbestos have been known for generations.

Approximately 2,500 deaths per year in our county are directly attributable to exposure to asbestos; John explained to us where asbestos hides, both in the home and the workplace and he showed us a video about an English lady called Alice, who was exposed to asbestos in her workplace during her youth, and sadly died in middle age.

He also spoke passionately about the work of his charity and about the need for international action to reduce the dangers to a new generation.

John explained to us that until the late twentieth century, the largest world exporter of asbestos was Canada, but now it is Russia. A lot of Russian asbestos is exported to Pakistan, where tragically protection for the workforce there is at a minimum. MAVS is involved in demonstrations at the Russian Embassy during May and the Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum UK fights for Justice for All Asbestos Victims.

We are very grateful to John Flannery for coming to speak to us and we recommend anyone who fears that their lung condition may be linked to asbestos to contact MAVs on http://mavsg.org/