RAWSON Donald
Deceased
Donald Rawson
Demographics
67y, male
Date of death
2003-05-21
Finding date
2004-06-18
Cause of death
Malignant mesothelioma
AI-generated summary
Donald Rawson, aged 67, died of malignant mesothelioma in May 2003. Investigation traced multiple possible sources of asbestos exposure across his working life and domestic context: probable exposure at Benny Teare Pty Ltd (1960s), proximity to James Hardie factory while employed by Atkins Pty Ltd (early 1960s), and confirmed exposure while cleaning dust and debris from Hardie Plank cladding installed at his East Keilor home in 1977. Expert investigation could not definitively determine the precise source, though domestic exposure is classified as undoubted. The coroner extensively documented the historical development of asbestos hazard knowledge from 1898 onwards, demonstrating that risks were well-established by governments, industry, and researchers decades before Mr. Rawson's exposures.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- Probable exposure to asbestos products at Benny Teare Pty Ltd workplace (1960s)
- Proximity to James Hardie factory while employed by Atkins Pty Ltd (early 1960s)
- Confirmed exposure while cleaning dust and debris from Hardie Plank cladding installation at home (1977)
- Possible exposure during welding work with asbestos-containing materials
- Possible exposure through use of asbestos gloves and other work materials
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