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Organizations Around the World Seek Prevention of Asbestos-Related Diseases

Organizations around the world seek prevention of asbestos-related diseases

Organizations around the world seek prevention of asbestos-related diseases

A significant number of organizations from across the globe recently came together in Casale Monferrato, Italy, seeking to eliminate asbestos-related diseases in both industrialized and developing countries.

According to a document released from the meeting, which was called “A World Without Asbestos,” delegations from the U.S., France, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Great Britain, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Italy all came together to discuss the issue of deadly asbestos-related diseases.

Together, the various organizations approved a final document condemning the use of asbestos, saying “it’s absolutely necessary and urgent to eliminate it from the environment where we live.”

“Morally corrupt” double standard for asbestos use in developing countries

One of the key points made at the asbestos awareness meeting in Italy was that while the diseases caused by asbestos exposure are well known in industrialized countries, it is often the developing countries that ultimately suffer the consequences.

“Nowadays, this epidemic of asbestos induced disease has expanded to developing countries, which continue to use asbestos,” the organizations wrote. “The existence of a double standard between industrialized and industrializing countries is ethically unjustifiable and morally corrupt.”

As such, they said that there is a “moral imperative” to take initiative and prevent asbestos-related diseases from harming citizens of all countries, particularly those that continue to use the material regularly in the construction industry.

Widespread asbestos contamination in the environment

In addition to people being exposed to asbestos directly and subsequently developing a serious illness, the groups explain that the environmental contamination of asbestos could have lasting effects on populations to come.

In the document, they said that asbestos contamination in water, soil and the air is still a significant issue, particularly in places such as Casale Monferrato and Corsica, France, among others.

The groups urge international agencies to help such communities to rid themselves of asbestos contamination by removing the dangerous material completely.

Those affected deserve compensation

Finally, the meeting of “A World Without Asbestos” concluded that all victims of asbestos-related diseases – such as malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis – deserve compensation regardless of how they were ultimately exposed to the carcinogen.

“In conclusion, the asbestos industry is a criminal industry, exposing massive populations to mortal risks in pursuit of profits,” they wrote. “We demand justice.”

Canadian Prime Minister Attacked for Asbestos Promotion

stephen harperPrime Minister Stephen Harper is holding his second rally in Asbestos, Quebec today, seeking votes by promoting himself as the political leader most dedicated to the asbestos industry. Over twenty health, union and environmental organizations have responded in an open letter urging Harper to end his support for the asbestos trade.

April 26, 2011

Dear Prime Minister Harper:

We urge you to put people’s lives ahead of politics. Please end your support for the deadly asbestos trade.

Canada’s leading medical authorities have all told you that Canada’s export of asbestos is medically and morally indefensible and will lead to an epidemic of asbestos-related disease and death overseas.

We are shocked and dismayed that you are denying the clear scientific evidence and instead are supporting a plan to revive Canada’s bankrupt, dying and deadly asbestos industry.

Public policy should be based on science, not politics. The science is indisputable that all asbestos is deadly. Not a single reputable authority supports your claim that chrysotile asbestos (which represents 100% of the global asbestos trade) can be safely used.

Canada is becoming known as an immoral asbestos pusher and as an enemy of global public health. This is not the role Canadians want to play in the world. This does not reflect Canadian values.

We are appalled that, in order to protect the asbestos industry, you have publicly promised to block the upcoming Conference of the U.N. Environmental Convention (Rotterdam Convention) so as to prevent chrysotile asbestos being listed as a hazardous substance. Chrysotile asbestos is a hazardous substance under Canadian law. It is, in our opinion, hypocritical and contemptuous of the lives of people in the developing world to prevent them from being provided with this critical information, as if their lives were less worthy of protection.

It is with sorrow and shame that we note that Canada is becoming a pariah on the international stage for its obstruction of global efforts to protect health, human rights and the environment.

Prime Minister Harper, you are the only national leader in Canada and in the Western world to promote asbestos. At the same time, Canadian taxpayers are paying millions of dollars to remove asbestos from your official residence and your place of work, the Parliament Buildings, in order to protect you and other Canadian politicians from being harmed by exposure to asbestos.

This election is about trust and integrity. We urgently call on you to show integrity. We ask you to:

Respect the science
Put human life ahead of partisan political interests
Support a ban on asbestos and the provision of transition assistance to the last remaining asbestos miners and their community
Support the listing of chrysotile asbestos under the Rotterdam Convention
Adopt a comprehensive strategy to address Canada’s asbestos disease crisis

We request a response from you. Please do not, as usually happens, forward our letter to Christian Paradis, the Minister of Natural Resources, who is an avid supporter of the asbestos industry and simply puts forward its discredited position.

We urgently await your response on this critical ethical issue.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Ruff
Senior human rights adviser, Rideau Institute

 

ON BEHALF OF:

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
Nature Québec
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Canada
Sierra Club Canada
International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada
Maîtres chez nous-21e siècle, Québec
Syndicat des débardeurs de Montréal, SCFP Section locale 375
British Columbia & Yukon Territory Building & Construction Trades Council
Prevent Cancer Now
Atlantic Coast District, International Longshoremen’s Association
Canadian Society for Asbestos Victims
MiningWatch Canada
Asbestos-related Research, Education and Advocacy Fund
Boilermakers Lodge 359
Sheet Metal Local 280
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union Local #2 BC
BC Ferry & Marine Worker’s Union
IBEW Local 993, Northern B.C. & Yukon
I L A, Local 1657,  Montréal
International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 115

ADDENDUM

1) Reputable Scientific Organisations that Oppose your position on chrysotile asbestos:

The Canadian Medical Association
The Canadian Cancer Society
The Lung Association of Canada
The Quebec Medical Association
The Canadian Public Health Association
The Quebec Association for Public Health
The Quebec Association of Physicians Specializing in Community Health
The Lung Association of Quebec
The National Specialty Society for Community Medicine
The National Public Health Institute of Quebec
The Quebec Association for Occupational Hygiene, Health & Safety
All the Quebec government’s sixteen regional Directors of Public Health
The Quebec College of Physicians
The College of Family Physicians of Canada
The Quebec College of Family Physicians
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The International Social Security Association
The International Labour Organization
The International Commission on Occupational Health
The World Health Organization

2) Reputable Scientific Organisations that Support your position on chrysotile asbestos:

ZERO

 

Fighting Back Against the Brazilian Asbestos Industry

Laurie Kazan-Allen

Laurie Kazan-Allen

International Ban Asbestos Secretariat’s Laurie Kazan-Allen has written an article on the effort spear-headed by Labor Inspector Fernanda Giannasi. Despite statewide bans on asbestos, the industry thrives amid condemnation of their dangerous and illegal actions. Ms. Giannasi is a vocal advocate for workers’ rights who seeks to stop them.

Read the full article at IBAS

IBAS: A Righteous Decision for UK Mesothelioma Victims

Exciting news from England where a unanimous high court today affirmed industry liability for low dose bystander and take-home asbestos exposure as a cause of mesothelioma despite industry arguments that there is a safe level of asbestos exposure for which they should not be held accountable.

Here in California and in many other states the law has long protected such victims of asbestos industry lies and misconduct and we are pleased that England’s courts now agree. For more details see the full account at International Ban Asbestos Secretariat.

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