Derbyshire group raising awareness of asbestos dangers

A Derbyshire group which works to raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos is projecting an interactive programme onto a screen half the size of a house.

It is so people can see where they might find the hidden killer in their own homes.

The Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team says it is especially important for people doing DIY or refurbishments to know about the possible risks.

The DAST say that despite Asbestos being banned since 2000 it may still be found in any property built before that date.

It is estimated that it is present in 90% of all public sector housing and schools as well as people's homes.

Last year the group supported 294 people in the East Midlands who had been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, 65 of those people were from Derbyshire.

The interactive screen is being launched in Chesterfield this afternoon, with trade workers and members of the public invited to use it.

It will show a guide to areas of the house with information about where asbestos may be found and what to do it asbestos is suspected to be present.

The support team say last year they helped 294 people in the East Midlands who had been diagnosed with an asbestos-related diseas, including the rapidly fatal cancer, mesothelioma.

Relatively low levels of exposure to asbestos may cause cancer.