‘I have terminal cancer after washing husband’s asbestos-covered work clothes’

A widow with terminal cancer says washing her husband's work clothes – which may have been covered with asbestos dust – is to blame for her illness.

Mavis Turton, 86, used to regularly shake husband Granville's dusty overalls after he finished work at a power station.

Decades later, she has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer linked to historical exposure to asbestos.

Mavis, from Wakefield in West Yorkshire, said: "Throughout all of that time I remember that Granville always used to wear a work shirt and jeans, regardless of who he was employed by.

"He generally wore the same set for a couple of shifts and then would stick them in the washing basket.

"They would always be dusty and dirty so I would always give them a good shake before putting them in the washing machine".

Mavis and Granville married in 1958, and had one son together.

Mavis worked as a shop assistant and an office clerk, and had no direct contact with asbestos.

Granville worked at R Sutcliffe in Wakefield from 1956 to 1965, predominantly in the factory as a welder and plater, carrying out repair work.

He joined Foster Wheeler John Brown Boilers in a similar role in around 1966. Granville and three other friends would take it in turns to drive to work at Eggborough power station.

Granville re-joined R Sutcliffe in around 1968, remaining in the company until his retirement in 1990. He died, aged 65, in 2002.

Mavis developed symptoms including shortness of breath towards the end of last year. Following tests, she received her devastating diagnosis.

She added: "It was a massive shock. Initially I couldn't think of how I could have been exposed to asbestos.

"It was only overtime that I realised it may have been from sorting Granville's clothes.

"I know that the doctors cannot do much but I am desperate to know how this happened.

"I would appreciate any help in getting answers regarding that issue. It would mean the world to me."

She has instructed specialist asbestos- related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her illness and how she came into contact with the material "before it's too late".

Suspecting her cancer could be linked to washing her late husband Granville's work clothes, Mavis' legal team is appealing for information from anyone who may have worked with him.

Legal expert Hannah Robinson said: "We are involved in many cases where individuals have been exposed to asbestos in industrial environments.

"But we are also seeing a number where people have come into direct contact with it through activities like washing clothes.

"Mavis's case appears to be one of those instances and it is yet another important reminder of the dangers that asbestos can pose.

"Whilst sadly medical professionals cannot do much for Mavis with regards to curing her cancer we are determined to help her gain answers before it's too late.

"We will be grateful to anyone who would be able to help us our efforts. Any information could prove vital."

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