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Childhood Hugs Led to Fatal Asbestos Exposure
23 Feb
Summary
- Wife of former Marshall Amps MD died from childhood asbestos exposure.
- Asbestos fibers were inhaled from her father's work clothes.
- Coroner ruled death was due to an industrial disease.
Elaine Ellery, 67, the wife of a former managing director at Marshall Amps, died from malignant mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer linked to childhood asbestos exposure. Inquest heard she inhaled fibers from her father's work clothes due to frequent hugs during his employment at a factory.
Her father, Walenty Snoch, worked at a factory from 1949 to 1974. Ellery also visited the factory for parties, recalling a 'snow-like' substance she now believes was asbestos. She assisted her mother in washing her father's contaminated work clothes.
Her father was diagnosed with cancer in 1982 and died the following year, also ruled as an industrial disease. Ellery was diagnosed in October 2024 and died on August 6 last year, with the coroner concluding her death was from childhood asbestos exposure.
Most mesothelioma cases are linked to asbestos exposure, often brought home on workers' clothing before regulations were implemented. Marshall Amps, founded in London in 1962, is a renowned British music equipment firm with a history of notable users.
