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Originally Posted by Tingara

Just pondering . Sir David Martin died from this,
Ive had the white stuff drop on my face - ddg top bunk 71.
Only happened when mt51 shot.
So ill roll another old holborn and wait for replies.

A killick stoker died of it on one of my ships. Took 6 weeks to cremate him.

I got a fair covering of this stuff down the tiller flat on Hardy/Diamond HTS in 78, after a shore supply failure one day left me without lighting. Also (like most steam stokers) got the usual 'white shower' after going into full astern whilst down the 'hole'.

Since then I've come across A more than a few times in my current job.
White, grey, blue A with blue being the worst (and least common)

The fact is 'nobody' has the full knowledge as it is a relatively new disease, though there are suggestions that just as a whiff might cause mesothelioma in one person, another might spend his working life with it and not be affected.

Armley at Leeds a few years ago provided the setting for a 'battle' between 600 council residents and the LA over their contaminated houses close to a asbestos mill, where residents had spent the last 50 years working. In those days workers went home covered in the stuff, got bathed at home while wifey washed hubbies clothes with a dolly & mangle.
Kids grew up with the stuff yet around 10% (if memory correct) have been affected; enough to ask questions (and accept responsibility with compo) but hardly an epidemic.

Personally I wouldn't worry too much.

I also got a'white shower' or two during the 70's and early 80's.

I don't expect the MOD will admit to anything...If they did, the compo would only amount to a couple of packets of blue liners and a tin of naafi sardines

Originally Posted by Scrumpy

I also got a'white shower' or two during the 70's and early 80's.

I don't expect the MOD will admit to anything...If they did, the compo would only amount to a couple of packets of blue liners and a tin of naafi sardines

Hate to break it to you but there is no such thing as Blue Liners anymore.

SF

Can't say I've seen a tin of naafi sardines for a while (or ever) either.

Originally Posted by SILVER_FOX

Hate to break it to you but there is no such thing as Blue Liners anymore.SF

Sheesh... Factory floor must be knee high now

Well in training we were never told about asbestos dangers at all.
Can't get the bolts out of a steam flange joint -- whack the asbestos off with a hammer. Showers of dust & bits everywhere.
My first knowledge was an AMP on Ark Royal IV, working in Y engine room in ovies & steamers ,when a dockyard worker clad in hooded disposable overalls ,breathing mask etc descended.
Me." What do you want?"
Him "I've come down to see if its safe for my gang to work down here"
Me ,"WTF ,WTF etc".
He then explained about the atmospheric sampling unit he was about to place for 24 hours & all the necesary(to him anyway) rigmarole.
Years later while working for the NHS I was tested & given the OK.

More than a few Aircraft Handlers have died or are suffering from various Asbestos related diseases. We believe mainly due to the use of the old Fearnaught fire helmets with the asbestos cape. Fire blankets were also made of the same material. I remember well, when given a new helmet, the first few times that you wore it, there was a constant fall of asbestos fibre particulate. I have have been in contact with the Australian handlers Association, and they used the same equiptment, and have the same sorts of problem.
The thing is, these helmets virtually dissappeared over night from use in the Navy! If anybody knows of the whereabouts of one please let me know.
BTW I have tried all of the usual sources of info (that I know of) and they know nothing..................
RoofRat