A CORONER has recorded an open verdict into the death of a Redditch man from a form of lung cancer often linked to exposure to asbestos.
John Edward Moore, 76, of Snowshill Close, Church Hill North, died of carcinomatosis due to measothelioma, a cancer which attacks the lining of the lung, on Christmas Day last year at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bromsgrove.
Although the majority of measothelioma cases are related to the victim's exposure to asbestos in their working lives, Worcestershire Coroner Victor Round said in 10 per cent of cases there is no connection to asbestos.
As a precaution, Mr Round sent a sample from Mr Moore, a former engineer, to be tested by Dr Allen Gibbs.
Dr Gibbs has a special interest in occupational lung pathology and is internationally respected for his work with asbestos.
Mr Round said: "Dr Gibbs concluded that although asbestos was detected, Mr Moore had no higher levels in his lungs than the background level we are all exposed to.
There is no evidence to suggest the levels found were as a result of industrial asbestos. I therefore return an open verdict."
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