A GRANDFATHER is looking for answers as to how his 60-year-old wife became exposed to asbestos which killed her.

Iris Goodwin, of Capworth Street in Leyton, described by her daughter as having a “heart of gold”, died from a tumour on her lungs which was caused by malignant mesothelioma, a rare tumour which develops after exposure to asbestos.

But the grandmother-of-ten was a stay at home mum for most of her life, only working as a baker's assistant for 18 months, and had no known exposure to industrial material which may have asbestos in it.

At Walthamstow Coroner's Court today, Dr Elizabeth Stearns said it was unlikely that asbestos lagging around the water tank in the family's loft was the cause of the disease because the couple had lived there for 30 years, and the disease is usually takes longer to affect someone, she said.

Dr Stearn said: "Clearly the tumour was due to asbestos exposure, but I cannot prove she was exposed at the bakery, and she had no industrial link, so I have to reflect she died from asbestos but cannot when or how it took place."

After the inquest, Iris's daughter, Dawn Goodwin, 37, said: “We were hoping to get more answers for mum. We believe it has something to do with the house because the asbestos was in the loft and we were putting stuff in and out of there all the time.

"We need to find out what it was because we cannot close the chapter until we do.”

Michael Goodwin, 65, a retired heavy goods driver, said he and his daughter have been advised by doctors to get yearly checks for asbestos-related diseases, in case the family was also exposed to it.

The father-of-two said: “It is not only about closure, we need to find out for own health. I have to go for checks every year. It is a big worry.”

The family intend to investigate their mother's life further to find out if they can trace where she may have been exposed to asbestos.

At the inquest, the court heard that Mrs Goodwin was a heavy smoker who had shortness or breath and persistent coughs caused by damage to her lungs, which later led to hospital treatment emphasemia.

But no shadows were picked up on x-rays until shortly before her death at St Margaret's Hospice in Whipps Cross Hospital on December 1 last year, so Dr Stearns and pathologist, Dr Ian Calder, agreed that it was likely to have been a recently developed and rapidly growing tumour.

Dr Calder said the post mortem confirmed the malignant tumour on the lungs and other microscopic evidence of asbestos.

Dr Stearns gave the cause of death as malignant mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure, contributed to by secondly, chronic bronchitis and emphasemia.

Dawn Goodwin said afterwards: “She was lovely and had a heart of gold. She adored her grandchildren and loved spending time with her family.”