Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Roughly 3,500 people in the United States are diagnosed with the disease each year, but America is by no means the only country affected. Asbestos has been used for centuries, and its impact has been global, with the United Kingdom seeing roughly 2,400 deaths per year. Occupational exposure is the primary cause, as was the case of a recently diagnosed man who believes he was exposed while working at Barclays Bank.
White Collar Asbestos Exposure Increasingly Linked to Mesothelioma
Though asbestos-related deaths like mesothelioma are traditionally linked to occupational exposure in high-heat or construction settings, the ubiquitous use of asbestos in construction following World War II means that even people who worked in office settings faced the risk of exposure. Mervyn Jessop worked as a computer operator for Barclays Bank decades ago, and now, at the age of 72, he has been diagnosed with stage four mesothelioma that he blames on asbestos hidden in the ceilings of the office where the firm’s data systems were housed.
Mr. Jessop was diagnosed with mesothelioma after being unable to shake a troubling cough in 2024. After testing revealed his terminal illness, he recalled the dustiness of his work environment three decades ago, and is now taking legal action while also undergoing a clinical trial that combines immunotherapy with chemotherapy in hopes that it will improve his prognosis. He has also put out a call for former colleagues to reach out with information about their work environment, and to monitor their own health for similar symptoms.
Mesothelioma-stricken Computer Professional Recalls Dust and Debris
In searching for a source of his asbestos exposure, the mesothelioma victim recalled that after having joined Barclays in London in 1973, he relocated to work at the Gloucester Data Center, which housed the firm’s computer network. The building he worked in had raised floors and suspended ceilings through which wiring and computer cabling ran, and when these were moved or repaired, dust would circulate through the office. He now suspects that the ceiling tiles were contaminated with asbestos.
“Most of my working hours were outside office hours, and this is when most of the maintenance work on the computers was carried out,” he said. He recalls that, “At that time, computers were in their infancy. They were enormous, often filling an entire room, with numerous buttons, switches, and cables, so when engineering work was required, it was a big job, involving several people. The work usually meant accessing areas behind the suspended ceilings and underneath the floors, and these areas were often dusty. So great care was required when cleaning up to keep the areas clean and dust-free.” The building was cleared of asbestos in 2001, three years before he retired.
Mesothelioma is a global tragedy. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with the rare and fatal form of cancer, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
