A coroner has expressed his worry over the number of asbestos-related deaths he has to deal with.
The Buckinghamshire Advertiser reported that Richard Hulett made the observation at Amersham Coroner's Court after a series of inquests last week where he recorded an open verdict as it was unclear how the deceased came into contact with the deadly material.
"I've got some suspicion what this was something to do with it but it's nothing more than guesswork and suspicion. We are getting more and more of these cases and the origins are as obscure as they often are," he told the source.
Mr Hulett explained that where there is no connection which can be pinned down for someone's death and asbestos, then an open verdict is recorded.
Latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive found that around 4,000 people die from asbestos-related diseases every year, with mesothelioma being one of the most fatal.