It has been revealed that the BBC has paid £1.64m in damages over the deaths of 11 former employees of the organisation, all of whom died after contracting cancer after working in asbestos-containing buildings.
The employees affected included engineers, riggers, studio managers, make up artists and set builders, all of whom died of mesothelioma.
The exposure occurred across 18 locations, including sites in London and Birmingham, and includes the Television Centre in White City, west London, which housed the broadcaster’s headquarters for decades until 2013.
According to The Observer, “the broadcaster said it had paid £1,637,501 in compensation over the last decade to settle claims involving the nine men and two women, who worked for it between 1959 and 1998. It did not name them.”
The Chief Executive for Mesothelioma UK, Liz Darlison, explained that “the payouts over these deaths show that asbestos remains a major menace. Many people don’t realise that 95% of our hospitals and 85% of our schools still contain some asbestos and that asbestos is a carcinogenic substance that causes mesothelioma.”
It is estimated that 2,700 people annually are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We would like to extend our continued sympathies to the families of all those affected.
“The health and safety of BBC staff and all that use BBC buildings is a primary concern. The BBC manages asbestos in accordance with applicable regulations and statutory requirements.”