A man who worked for years throughout Norwich's old buildings died after multiple lung issues, a court has heard.

An inquest held on September 16, into David Greening's death, heard that he died peacefully at home on July 14.

The cause of death was confirmed as bronchopneumonia, a clot in the lung and lung cancer.

A postmortem showed Mr Greening's lungs had "widespread pneumonia and plentiful asbestos bodies, consistent with asbestosis".

The inquest was held on September 16 at Norfolk Coroners CourtThe inquest was held on September 16 at Norfolk Coroners Court (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Greening, also known as David, was born in Shoreditch London but moved to Fairfield Close in Little Plumstead.

A statement, by Mr Greening, was read out at Norfolk Coroners Court and said: "He worked for Norwich City Council in the mid-70s working as a heating fitter.

"He spent all his time working in public buildings, schools, libraries and Norwich City Hall.

"Around 80pc of his day was down in basements covered in dust and with poor ventilation, full of pipes with asbestos.

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"When servicing the boilers he would need to knock asbestos off with chipping hammers to gain access kicking dust up into his face."

The court heard Mr Greening died from bronchopneumonia, a clot in the lung and lung cancer, caused by asbestos exposureThe court heard Mr Greening died from bronchopneumonia, a clot in the lung and lung cancer, caused by asbestos exposure (Image: Newsquest)

In 2016 Mr Greening was diagnosed with asbestosis with CT scans and x-rays showed evidence of asbestos exposure in radiographs. 

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Mr Greening was seen more regularly during the next few years, being treated for multiple chest infections and increased breathlessness.

In April 2024 was diagnosed with lung cancer which spread to his liver and spine and was given a prognosis of "weeks to months".

Yvonne Blake, area coroner, concluded Mr Greening died as a result of industrial disease.

She said Mr Greening was "certainly exposed to asbestos when working for the council while doing boiler work but wasn't warned of the dangers."

Area coroner Yvonne Blake concluded Mr Greening died as a result of industrial diseaseArea coroner Yvonne Blake concluded Mr Greening died as a result of industrial disease (Image: Newsquest)