A British coroner has recently raised questions into the incidence of naturally-occurring mesothelioma, prompted by the case of a British teacher who died of the disease but exhibited no signs of exposure.

According to an article in Newsquest Chesire, Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg addressed the issue during an inquest on Thursday into the death of 65-year-old Raymond Williamson, who died at Warrington Hospital from mesothelioma last July 20. No one, including family members, was able to make a connection between Williamson and exposure to the toxic mineral.

His brother, Kenneth, presented several theories including the possibility that he was exposed while conducting research on lasers in the 1960s. “But what was more baffling was that a post-mortem examination did not reveal any asbestos fibers in his body although there was evidence of mesothelioma in the lining of Mr. Williamson’s lung and abdomen,” the article notes.

“Up to 10 to 15 per cent of mesotheliomas are not related to asbestos exposure but if there is any suggestion of asbestos exposure, even very brief or mild, that would override the possibility of non-asbestos- related mesothelioma,” said Dr. Mohammed al-Jafari, who conducted the autopsy.

“There is nothing obviously outstanding to suggest asbestos exposure albeit there are a number of possibilities,” said the coroner. “But what is quite extraordinary is that while most of us would have shown up evidence of asbestos exposure because we live in an industrial society, not one fiber was found.

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