Hazard Warning On Asbestos Scan Vans

The TUC is warning that the arrival in the UK of US-style 'scan vans' that screen workers for occupational lung disease is not the best way to deal with Britain's asbestos disease epidemic. In the US, the mobile clinics tour shopping malls and community centres in search of workers to screen, often using CT scans, and recruit for asbestos-related lawsuits.

TUC head of safety Hugh Robertson said: 'These companies play on people's fears, and are interested not with the health of the worker, but whether they can make commission on compensation claims for any illnesses they find. However, this is not just ambulance chasing. There is growing concern over unnecessary or speculative screening - in particular the use of CT scans, which may increase the chances of certain cancers developing.'

The Health Protection Agency says the risk of developing a fatal cancer as a result of a chest CT scan is one in 2,500, compared with a risk of one in a million from a chest x-ray. Ian McFall, head of asbestos litigation with Thompsons solicitors, commented: 'If you're concerned about your health go see a doctor. You don't see a lawyer and you don't see some unregulated claims farmer running a scan van in a hotel car-park.'

According to TUC's Hugh Robertson: 'Anyone who is concerned they may have an occupational illness should contact their GP and make sure they let their doctor know why they are concerned, their work history and symptoms.'

The Department of Health is investigating one claims company using scan vans, Freeclaim IDC, based in Northumberland, to check it is in compliance with the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations.