A retired telecoms engineers who worked with asbestos dust and debris in the atmosphere on “a day-to-day basis” died from malignant mesothelioma. 

Ian Stubbs, of Hawkes Lane in Bracon Ash, near Norwich, was diagnosed with the cancer in 2021 after experiencing shortness of breath and a long-term cough.

Norfolk Coroner’s Court heard how the 81-year-old had worked as a telecoms engineer for BT for almost 40 years. 

In a personal statement provided to the court, which he wrote before his death, he explained how he thought he had been exposed to the substance. 

In 1962, he began working for BT in its “stores” and remained in that role, working his way up to manager, until his retirement in 2001.

He believed there had been asbestos in both the materials used by engineers, as well as the buildings he worked in based off Hall Road. These have now been demolished. 

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk Coroner's CourtNorfolk Coroner's Court (Image: Newsquest)

“There was a huge amount of asbestos in the fabric of the buildings,” he said.    

“And it was our job to keep tidy... we would often sweep up after.

“I wasn’t given any warning about the dangers of asbestos at BT and wasn’t aware until later that we worked in buildings which contained asbestos.

“Indeed, I would never ever have questioned whether the fabric of the building was dangerous until they brought in the specialist company to come and remove it.” 

He added that “dust and debris would fly into the air” when moving large cable rolls. 

Following his diagnosis, Mr Stubbs underwent chemotherapy and palliative care was put in place from April this year. 

He became house-bound in the last couple of months of his life and declined rapidly in the last week, before his death on September 20.

At an inquest, which took place at the court at County Hall in Norwich on December 12, the area coroner Yvonne Blake concluded his death was due to “industrial disease”. 

The medical cause of death was given as malignant mesothelioma.