NEWS IN BRIEF

Asbestos exposure led to wife’s death

A PEMBROKESHIRE woman, who worked in an old textiles factory, died as a result of exposure to asbestos, an inquest has heard.

Alison Brockway, 64, of Trinity Road, Pembroke Dock, died on January 24 due to a cancerous illness caused by asbestos.

She had previously been diagnosed with cancer, for which she had chemotherapy, but in November last year she was informed her condition was terminal.

Mrs Brockway had worked as a weaver in a woollen mill a year before and had later worked in the docks dressing crabs and fish.

Her husband was a scaffolder who had worked at various sites across Wales, coming into contact with asbestos.

Mrs Brockway first became ill two years ago and suffered with fluid on the lungs and subsequent recurring chest infections.

Coroner Mark Layton said there were two probable causes of the asbestosis. Firstly due to exposure to asbestos on her husband’s clothing but also, “arguably more likely, due to exposure in her former place of work”.

A post-mortem examination showed Mrs Brockway had died from advanced malignant mesothelioma.

“Just one exposure to asbestos can lead to this disease,” said Mr Layton.

He concluded that Mrs Brockway died from an industrial disease.