Tributes have been paid to a man who died of asbestos-related cancer after being exposed to the toxic building material almost 50 years ago.
Douglas Alan Robson, who was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was described as “a good family man” at his inquest on Tuesday 19 August.
The 70-year-old had probably been exposed to asbestos when he worked as a heating engineer and doing house maintenance in rural Northumberland, the inquest heard.
Coroner’s officer Andy Bisson said Mr Robson had started an apprenticeship at 16, and worked on industrial and hospital heating systems until he was about 30.
He had worked in other areas throughout his life, and met his wife in 2003.
In 2022, Mr Robson was diagnosed with unresectable mesothelioma – a type of cancer linked to asbestos which can’t be removed with a surgery.
He was given immunotherapy and chemotherapy, but the inquest heard that both were unsuccessful and that he refused further chemotherapy in the weeks before his death at the age of 70.
The inquest heard a statement from Mr Robson’s wife, who said that he had “almost certainly” encountered asbestos working on pipes and insulation in his 20s.
She described her husband as “a private person”, adding that he was “a good family man, looking after his parents and sister and his cousin”.
Relief coroner Cyril Whelan said the cause of death was mesothelioma.
He shared his condolences with Mr Robson’s family.