Bury man pleads with former workmates for info on where he contracted asbestos-related cancer

A Bury St Edmunds man seriously ill with an asbestos-related cancer is appealing to former colleagues to help him find evidence of where he may have contracted the disease.

Ian Mitchell, aged 72, was diagnosed in August last year with mesothelioma, a sadly terminal form of lung cancer always related to asbestos exposure. The material was once used widely in cladding and insulation, but its dangers were recognised during the 1980s and it is now a banned substance.

It is probable that Mr Mitchell came into contact with asbestos at one of his places of work, and he is appealing to former colleagues who may have recollections of the presence of asbestos to come forward.

During the mid-70s and early 80s he worked at Barber-Greene, then during the rest of the 80s and 90s at Ben Hogan, Host Group, Speedy Hire, Newmarket Foods, Grampian Country Pork and Turners of Soham. He also worked at Premier Brands of Mildenhall Road in Bury St Edmunds.

Although Mr Mitchell may have breathed in contaminated dust almost 30 or 40 years ago, the time taken for his mesothelioma to develop is not unusual. It usually takes at least two or three decades. Mr Mitchell has the right to sue for the illness caused by asbestos contamination, but he needs evidence from others to back up his own experience.

Mr Mitchell’s public appeal is being handled by his lawyer, asbestos specialist Phoebe Osborne of Ashtons Legal: “We can be clear that Ian’s illness is caused by being in contact with asbestos dust at some point during his working life,” Phoebe Osborne explains: “Our problem now is to track down exactly where it happened, and our best means of doing so is to find an old workmate who remembers Ian and can provide information on the working conditions they shared. So we’re hoping that somebody may remember his name or his picture, and be able to back up his recollections.”

Phoebe Osborne can be contacted at Phoebe.Osborne@ashtonslegal.co.uk or on 01223 431159 or 07483 928171.