‘Asbestosis is like a death sentence hanging over you’

Jim Halligan was diagnosed with asbestosis 19 years ago. “It’s like living with a death sentence hanging over you,” he says. “If you get it, you have it for the rest of your life.”

As recently as October 2012, Jim had part of his right lung removed due to cancer he believes is also directly linked to asbestos exposure. It was his second lung operation.

He has suffered pneumonia in his left lung, uses three inhalers daily, a nebuliser on bad days, and gets at least five chest infections a year.