A UK man’s death, caused by mesothelioma, has been linked exposure to asbestos that occurred over 30 years ago. Eric Jones was 71 at the time of his death in March of 2009. Jones had worked at a Warrington cotton mill for Armitage and Rigby, a company that has since gone out of business. He was exposed to asbestos while repairing pipes attached to boilers that were covered with asbestos-containing insulation, according to officials from the Warrington Coroner’s Court.

Jones would use a hammer to loosen the pipes, forcing clouds of asbestos fibers into the air. Inhaling or ingesting these fibers can lead to a variety of illnesses, such as lung cancer, pleural plaques, and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects thousands of people all over the world each year, and while there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure.

The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients succumb to the cancer within 24 months of being diagnosed. Mesothelioma can affect the lungs, lining of the heart, and other areas of the abdominal cavity, before it spreads throughout the body.

Deputy Coroner for Cheshire Janet Napier has officially recorded the cause of death for Mr. Jones as industrial disease. She said: “Eric kept his dignity until the very end. This was a particularly bad form of a terrible disease and there is no doubt it in my mind it was caused by asbestos.”

In Amarillo, Texas, a local business owner has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of improper handling of asbestos-containing materials. The man, Jack R. Coiner, now faces up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine. During the period between July 2007 and May 2009, Coiner, who is the owner of Asbestos Maintenance Services Inc., had his employees handle asbestos in such a way that ultimately lead to the violation of asbestos regulations.

Coiner ordered two of his employees to store asbestos at two locations. While the asbestos was properly sealed up in bags and barrels, over time several of these asbestos containers eroded, which caused the material to be released into the air. Coiner told federal authorities that he had planned to dispose of the material safely and legally, but simply did not have the finances to do so at the time.

Asbestos exposure has been scientifically linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare yet aggressive form of cancer that may affect the lungs, lining of the abdomen, or even the lining of the heart. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo, the cancer remains tragically incurable. The disease typically lies dormant for many decades before the onset of initial symptoms. In most cases, the cancer proves to be fatal within 24 months of being diagnosed.

A federal investigation has yet to determine if Mr. Coiner, his employees, or his company have violated asbestos handling or disposal regulations at any other time in the past.