Asbestos : The Invisible Enemy that Hasn’t Gone Away

3 May 2021

At OHSS, we’re on a mission to educate the Irish public about the fact that despite being banned at the turn of the century, asbestos still represents a major danger to the health of anyone who comes into contact with it. Today we bring you another news story that reinforces this fact. 

Patrick Byrne was a retired tyre factory worker from Dublin who recently died from mesothelioma as a direct result of becoming exposed to the substance at the Semperit factory in Ballyfermot. Mr Byrne’s daughter - Elizabeth Sullivan - told an inquest into her father’s death that she hoped that an enquiry of some sort would be established to see if any other workers at the plant had been exposed to asbestos. 

Mr Byrne Was a Non Smoker

As a non-smoker, Mr Byrne’s death was stated as malignant mesothelioma - an aggressive form of lung cancer caused by exposure - by Dubin’s Coroner’s Court. He joined Semperit back in 1974 and then continued to work there for two decades until he retired.

Ms Sullivan’s main concern was that other Semperit staff may yet still not realise that they have been exposed and as a result, be unaware that they have a problem. Once again, this seems to be an occasion when a lack of education in asbestos dangers has cost someone their life.

Asbestos Abatement Companies Are Very Busy

The truth is that still, a full 20 years after asbestos regulations came into force to ban its use in construction, asbestos represents the biggest occupational killer in existence. Whether talking about safe asbestos removal and disposal or knowing what to do when asbestos is identified, we’re dedicated to helping spread the word.

If you’d like to know more about what we do at OHSS in the occupational hygiene field, simply visit us online at www.ohss.ie. Alternatively, give us a call on 01 6905907 if you need our assistance in any asbestos related matter. 

‹ BACK TO BLOG