"I remember when dad would come home from work covered in dust and there would be a burnt smell on his clothes," recalls Tony Paines Junior, as he reflected on the long hours his father spent working in hazardous conditions. What his father, Tony Paines Senior, did not realise at the time, was that these conditions would ultimately cost him his life. Tony Snr passed away at the age of 81, despite being considered "fit" and in "good health" for his age. In the summer of 2023, he was handed a shock diagnosis of mesothelioma, a terminal cancer that is commonly linked to asbestos exposure. Known as a family man who loved nothing more than watching rugby with his son or doing some DIY and gardening at his home, his passing has left a hole in the hearts of those who knew him. Now Tony Jnr is calling on his father's former colleagues to come forward with any information that could help uncover how his father encountered the asbestos that claimed his life. Tony Snr was employed at the British Steel Corporation in 1968, where he worked as a general labourer. He worked on the production line, making steel girders, ingots and coils in the furnace section. The working conditions were harsh, and Tony Snr would describe them to his family as "hot, horrible, dusty and dirty," likening it to "Dante's Inferno". He worked amidst a complex network of pipes, which Tony Snr believed were lagged with asbestos. This lagging would be regularly knocked off for repair work, which could have potentially released harmful asbestos dust into the air. In 1974, Tony Snr moved onto work for the British Transport Docks Board, which later became Associated British Ports. He worked at the docks in Butetown, Cardiff, where his duties included repairing trucks and cranes, servicing forklifts and checking oil levels. He also worked in the garage, repairing brake shoes, wheels, tyres and washing engines with chemicals. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here Tony Snr would say that the docks was a very dirty environment, with dust particles floating in the air and a constant metallic taste lingering in the atmosphere. He told his son that he could feel the "difference" in the air as he left work each day and returned to his home in Penarth, where the air was much clearer. One of the most concerning aspects of Tony Snr's work at the docks, was his time spent in the garage. He often had to remove the wheels and drums from vehicles, using an air gun to blow out the brakes when they were clogged up. Tony Snr explained to his son that the brake linings were made of asbestos and during the process, plumes of dust could be seen in the air. Years later, although Tony Snr was fit and healthy, he began experiencing shortness of breath and wheezing. Concerned by these symptoms, Tony’s GP sent him for tests and he was eventually diagnosed with mesothelioma; a type of cancer that develops in the lining that covers the outer surface of some of the body's organs. Despite undergoing chemotherapy, his health quickly deteriorated and he sadly died in the Marie Curie Hospice in Penarth on June 8, 2024. Tony Jnr, now 61, shared how his father's illness came as a "complete shock to the family." "He was a fit and healthy man for his age," Tony stated. "Dad and I have always been very close and his death is still so hard to accept." He continued to express how he believed his father's exposure to asbestos at work played a significant role in the diagnosis. "The doctors said mesothelioma was linked to asbestos and dad recalled that he believed he may have come into contact with asbestos during his working life," Tony said. "I remember Dad would come home from work covered in dust and there would be a burnt smell on his clothes." In light of his father's tragic passing, Tony Jr instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his dad’s illness and if it could be linked to his work history. "Dad didn’t deserve to suffer in his final years with this terrible disease and we owe it to his memory to establish the truth. If anyone who worked with dad could come forward it would mean a lot to me and the family," Tony Jr said. Alexandra Lausen, the specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell supporting Tony, added: "Understandably Tony’s son and the rest of his family are still struggling to come to terms with his death. We’re still seeing far too many families torn apart by the legacy of asbestos exposure and this is another example of the devastation and hurt asbestos leaves in its wake. "The family have many questions concerning Tony’s death and while nothing we do can bring a much-loved dad back to his family, we’re determined to do all we can to help them find the answers they are looking for. "If any of Tony’s former colleagues could come forward with their memories, it would be a huge help to the family at this time. It could make all the difference in providing them with answers and closure following such a devastating period in their lives." Anyone with information that could help Tony is asked to contact Alexandra Lausen at Irwin Mitchell on 0117 926 1554 or email alexandra.lausen@irwinmitchell.com