IN MAY, 1970, the British Government introduced new regulations controlling the way in which industry could use asbestos.
Further regulations since then severely limit asbestos use, and it is gradually being removed from buildings in which it provides insulation.
But there is a tragic legacy. Every year the death toll from the incurable lung cancer mesothelioma increases.
The cancer, which is caused by asbestos, destroys the lining of the lungs. The cancer can take 60 years to show itself, and can be caused by the inhalation of a single fibre of the mineral. It usually kills within 12 months of diagnosis.
The death toll last year in Britain was 1,700. It is expected to rise to 2,000 a year.
The legacy is felt particularly hard in Leeds. The J W Roberts factory in Armley spewed out asbestos dust which covered the rooftops of surrounding houses. Children played in the dust in the streets, making 'snowballs' which they threw around oblivious to the danger they faced. They regularly played in the factory yard, jumping on the dusty bails of asbestos stored there.
The factory closed in the 1950s, but the toll of its victims continues to climb.
Among them was June Hancock. She was one of hundreds who contracted mesothelioma as a result of the factory.
Victim
Her mother had been a victim of mesothelioma and died in 1982. June was diagnosed as having the disease in 1994.
She launched a courtroom battle which lasted three years, suing Roberts' parent company, Turner Newall, knowing she did not have long to live.
Against all the odds Mrs Hancock survived long enough to win compensation in a case which set a precedent for thousands.
Mrs Hancock died in June 1997, a few weeks after her victory.
But the victims of the J W Roberts factory are not the only people in Leeds to suffer from the deadly mineral.
Joyce Ives, 65, lost her husband Trevor to the killer disease in 2002.
The couple had for many years run the Cardigan Arms pub on Kirkstall Road, Leeds. Mr Ives came into contact with asbestos in the cellar, where asbestos lagging had broken up and was hanging from pipework.
"My husband lost his life because of asbestos," Joyce said. "Since his death, I have had to pick up the pieces and try to re-build a life for myself but it is very tough. I feel very bitter that so much was known about asbestos all those years ago, but so little was done to protect workers like my late husband, Trevor."
Responsibilities
Ann Lee, 60, from Rawdon, lost her husband Ian to mesothelioma in 2004. She said: "My husband worked for a construction company in the 1970s. Had the company taken seriously its responsibilities under these Regulations when they were drawn up in 1969, I feel sure that he would be here today."
Ann is now retired but devotes some of her time to helping and advising members of the public and their families who have been affected by asbestos. She works for Armley-based Ridings Asbestos Support and Awareness Group.
She said: "Following the death of my husband, I felt an urgent need to help others who were facing the same dreadful time my husband faced after his diagnosis.
"We did not know where to turn and I think it's important that as well as having medical care, families get the support and advice they need."
The group, based on Town Street, has achieved charity status in the last few years and currently receives over 50 calls a week for assistance as well as many more hits to its website.
Tom Carden, who leads the group, said: "We are seeing more and more calls for help. Our group was set up specifically to meet the needs of our local community as well as those further afield. We are very lucky to have the services of Mavis Robinson MBE whose knowledge and experience of caring for those with Mesothelioma has been invaluable to the group and many hundreds of patients."
Handbook
Mrs Robinson was a Macmillan Nurse based at Killingbeck Hospital in Leeds. She dealt with many asbestos victims and drew up a handbook of care which is today used nationwide by doctors, nurses and families dealing with mesothelioma victims.
Ian Bailey is a partner at Leeds based law-firm Irwin Mitchell who specialise in asbestos claims. The firm represented June Hancock in her fight for justice.
Mr Bailey said: "It is a tragedy for many families in our region who have been affected by asbestos disease. As long ago as 1901, the dangers of asbestos were being recognised by companies and their insurers.
"The major regulations of 1969 which came into force in 1970 were meant to see a sea-change in the approach towards asbestos, yet 35 years on, the numbers of asbestos victims continues to rise and predictions are that this will be the case for another 10 years or more.
"The dedication and hard work of many people in our region to assist those affected is fantastic.
"Without their commitment, the lives of many would be a lot more difficult."
peter.lazenby@ypn.co.uk