A woman whose father died from suspected asbestos cancer is appealing for his former work colleagues to come forward, believing they hold vital information that could help her family get justice.
Arlene McNab's dad Jim Campbell passed away at the age of 76 on July 17, 2024. He died just months after being diagnosed with a malignant tumour feared to be an asbestos-related cancer called mesothelioma. The grandfather, from Clydebank, is understood to have been exposed to the lethal substance during his work as a professional asbestos remover. His family claim he was not given the right safety equipment during his employment.
Search for former colleagues
Arlene is now searching for his former workmates in the hope they can shed light on past practices. The 36-year-old said: "When we found out dad may have died from asbestos exposure, it didn't feel right to just sit back and accept it. If any companies put dad at risk they deserve to be held accountable for him not being here anymore."
She added: "He was a popular man so I'm hoping there's an old workmate somewhere who holds the key to help unlock justice, not just for us but maybe other families too."
In the months before Jim's death, the once "fit and strong" 5ft 5in tradesman's weight plummeted to a mere 32kg. A post-mortem later confirmed he had a 7cm tumour in his right lung consistent with tumours seen in mesothelioma. Jim was also found to have suffered from a second condition called pleural plaques, which hardened the lining of his lungs. Both mesothelioma and pleural plaques are known to only be caused by asbestos exposure.
Legal investigation underway
A legal investigation is now underway to see if there were any failings at Jim's work that would have contributed to his ill health and early death. Witness evidence from former colleagues, who were engaged in multiple different demolition projects across Scotland, has shed light on how Jim may have been exposed to asbestos to allow the tumour to develop.
The company cannot be disclosed due to legal matters. However, one former worker noted some sites had "asbestos in the air" before workers even had a chance to put breathing masks on, due to ceiling tiles hitting the floor and breaking on impact. Once shattered, they would have released toxic fibres into the immediate environment.
Another revealed that workers had medicals every two years to prove their fitness to work. Doubts, however, were raised about the assurance of these tests as asbestos diseases are known to only develop decades later. A third colleague also noted that some sites saw workers with no overalls despite the presence of 'blue asbestos' – a lethal form of the substance known as crocidolite which causes mesothelioma.
Appeal for information
Arlene now hopes old friends of Jim will hold information that could strengthen the legal action. She said: "The stories I've heard since beginning this journey are incredible. Not just about dad's work and the daily risks he took but the fact that so many people all over the country were likely affected by it and still are to this day."
She added: "It breaks my heart to think that each day he went to work to provide for his family he was effectively being stripped of days from his future. If any of his old friends or colleagues remember working with him on various jobs where there were issues around asbestos then it would mean the world for you to reach out as your recollections could be the very thing to help me and my family get answers."
Two organisations helping Arlene in her quest for justice are Clydebank Asbestos Group (CAG) and law firm Digby Brown. Rachel Gallagher, Manager at CAG, said: "I really admire what Arlene is hoping to achieve in memory of her father. Sadly, Jim is one of hundreds, if not thousands, of Scots who've died from asbestos exposure even just in the last decade or so."
She added: "It's just devastating that even after more than 20 years since asbestos was banned in the UK we see no real reduction in lives being lost but that's what makes missions like Arlene's all the more vital."
Caitlyn Maccabe, Partner at Digby Brown and specialist in asbestos compensation claims, said: "The legal requirement for PPE, ventilated workspaces and safe working practices have been in place since the 1930s – this means any workers who are close to asbestos must be kept safe from harm. The circumstances around Mr Campbell's passing therefore raises reasonable doubts about whether his employers followed this legislation."
She added: "The legal investigation for Jim's family is at an early stage so it would be inappropriate to go into specifics however we will continue to support Arlene and her family during the process."
