Asbestos cancer man appeals for colleagues

5:45pm Friday 23rd March 2007

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A LEYTON man who is dying from an asbestos-related cancer is trying to track down old work colleagues so that he can claim compensation from his former employer.

Walter Boast, 66, was exposed to asbestos when working for the London Electric Wire Company and Smiths Ltd between 1970 and 1976.

He worked in an enamelling department at the firm's factory in Church Road, Leyton.

Mr Boast was exposed to asbestos from the large ovens that he worked with and is now suffering from the terminal cancer mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium, a membrane that covers most of the internal organs of the body.Symptoms do not usually appear until 30 or 50 years after exposure to asbestos. They include shortness of breath, chest pain and swelling of the neck and face.

According to the National Cancer Institute, a history of asbestos exposure is reported in 70 to 80 per cent of mesothelioma cases. Mr Boast said: "Health and safety was very poor at the factory. We were never provided with goggles or masks or any sort of equipment at all.

"I first felt there was something wrong with my health in September 2005. The doctor examined me and sent me for a chest X-ray straight away.

"It was such a shock for me and my wife Christine when I was diagnosed with mesothelioma, especially when they told me it is terminal and there was nothing they can do for me."

Mr Boast now wants to trace former colleagues George Sawyer and Walter Heath, and anybody else who worked there at the same time as him.

His solicitor Ann-Marie Wilson, of Thompson's Solicitors, said: "We desperately need to trace witnesses so we can progress the compensation claim for Mr Boast."Mesothelioma is a terrible illness and one which is wreaking havoc on the lives of such innocent families."We need the help of local people to secure justice for Mr Boast."

Anybody who can help Mr Boast should contact Ms Wilson on 7290 0061.