BRADFORD campaigners today warned that asbestos-related disease is not a "historic problem" on the day a new drive got underway to warn tradespeople they are still at risk.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) revealed today that around 20 people still die every week from asbestos-related diseases across the UK, with tradespeople coming into contact with the deadly material more than 100 times a year.

The new research showed that construction workers, carpenters, and painters and decorators across Yorkshire spend around two days a week working in buildings built before the year 2000, said to therefore have a high risk of containing asbestos.

Carol Duerden, who helps to run the Bradford Asbestos Victims Support Group, said she was "not surprised" at the new figures.

She said the group, which offers support to anyone suffering from asbestos-related illnesses, gets "six to eight" new cases contacting them every month, mainly from people diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung caused by exposure to asbestos.

"People think it is a disease of the past, but it certainly isn't," she said.

"The figures are growing and will continue to do so.

"I'm not surprised at the figures for Yorkshire, people think it's a historic problem and don't take as much care as they should.

"We are also noticing that people are suffering the effects at a younger age, in their 50s and 60s rather than their 70s and 80s."

The survey also revealed severe gaps in the knowledge of Yorkshire tradespeople on how to deal with asbestos, with 36 per cent thinking simply opening a window would help, and 12 per cent believing drinking a glass of water would help protect them from the deadly dust.

Matt Greenly, HSE Inspector for the North of England, said: "The risk associated with the installation of asbestos may have gone, but the risks of discovery have not, and it is general tradesmen that are putting themselves at risk.

"The most worrying thing is that if people do discover asbestos, they often don't know how to deal with it properly."

If disturbed, microscopic asbestos fibres can prove lethal if breathed in, causing lung disease and cancer.

Mark Harper, Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions, officially opened the nationwide campaign in London yesterday and said: "Despite being banned in the construction industry, asbestos exposure remains a very serious risk to tradespeople.

"We hope the campaign will encourage people to be aware of the risks, think twice, and take precautions to stay safe.”

For more information on asbestos safety, visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos, and to contact the Bradford Asbestos Victims Support Group, call (01274) 393949.