Woman who worked Dema Glass/Glass Tubes in Whittington Moor appeals for help from former colleagues after asbestos cancer diagnosis

Margaret Lomax was in her early 20s when she worked at the Glass Tubes and Components factory in Whittington Moor, Chesterfield more than 50 years ago. The factory later became known as Dema Glass.  

Margaret, now aged 75 and living in Glapwell says she spent about two years at the factory in a department which made strip lighting and light bulbs between around 1971 and 1973.  

Margaret worked with rods which had an asbestos covering on. Hundreds if not thousands of times a day, Margaret says she had to put glass tubes on to the asbestos rods and every time she did this, asbestos dust was released when the tubes brushed against the asbestos.  

Although going on to work in other jobs, Margaret believes her job at the glassworks is the only one in which she was exposed to asbestos.  

After retiring, Margaret, mother of two, began to experience symptoms of breathlessness and coughing in January 2025. In April 2025 she was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure. 

Margaret has instructed Zara Brown, a solicitor from the asbestos team at the law firm, Leigh Day to investigate the case.

Now she is appealing to former colleagues and members of their family who may be able to help with information to support a potential legal claim. She would like to hear from former colleagues who could confirm that asbestos was present at the Whittington Moor glass factory when she worked there. 

Leigh Day solicitor, Zara Brown said: 

“Being diagnosed with mesothelioma can be a moment of devastation and disbelief when someone tries to remember how they have been exposed to asbestos, often many years before. We would like to speak with other people who worked at Glass Tubes and Components, especially those who were there in the 1970s, who may have details about asbestos being present in the premises.  

“Any piece of information, however small, would be very much appreciated by Mrs Lomax and her family.”  

If you have information which may help Margaret and her family, please contact Zara Brown on zbrown@leighday.co.uk or by phone at 0161 9380 531.