A small town in England that has been deeply touched by the dangers of asbestos exposure is building a memorial in homage to its many residents who have passed on due to asbestos-related diseases, notes an article in the Barking and Dagenham Recorder.

The Barking and Dagenham Asbestos Victim Support Group will be placing a stone memorial at the site of the former Cape Asbestos plant, which stood on Harts Lane in the town of Barking until it closed in 1968. For decades, the factory produced asbestos and asbestos-containing products.

Locals have dubbed the former plant “an industrial killing machine,” believing it to be responsible for literally hundreds of deaths, including workers as well as those who merely lived in the vicinity of the plant.

“What we do not want is a little plaque, hidden away where no one can see it,” said Mick Connolly, chairman of the Barking and Dagenham Asbestos Victim Support Group, formed to bring the problems of local asbestos exposure to light.

“Obviously, we are dependent on planning permission, but it is hoped we can have a memorial that people will see and that they will take notice of.”

“Ideally we would be looking for a stone image of a man and woman working at the factory, with a carved explanation,” he added.

Great Britain currently suffers from one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world. The British government has been trying to discern how best to compensate victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.

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