Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, is thought to have died from mesothelioma as a result of smashing up his punk design store, controversially named ‘Sex’, 30 years ago. He wanted the shop to look as though it had been hit by a bomb!
McLaren died in April 2010, aged 64, from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma. The store, from which he spawned British punk, was shared with his (at the time) partner designer Vivienne Westwood. During the store fit out he smashed up some asbestos sheeting, which may have resulted in exposure to the dangerous fibres for a number of years throughout the 1970’s.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs, caused through exposure to asbestos dust. From diagnosis the expected life expectancy is typically 18 months to 2 years.
Alison Day, CEO of Eurosafe UK commented, “In the 70’s there was little awareness of the risk from asbestos containing materials. Today individuals within the construction team are much better educated about the historical and extensive use of asbestos in buildings. It is imperative that any construction consultant advising novice clients, such as McLaren, are able to highlight the potential of asbestos being present in a property and the associated control measures to ensure the asbestos is dealt with safely.”
Nicola Slee
www.cloudsuk.comwww.constructionnet.co.ukwww.eurosafeuk.co.uk
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