Concern grows over continued international asbestos trade
Published: 05:00PM BST 21 Jul 2010
Following an investigation by the BBC and the Centre for Public Integrity, many scientists have raised concerns that the continued use of white asbestos will prolong the asbestos epidemic and increase the cases of lung cancer and mesothelioma for many years to come.
The problem is that in the developing world there is a demand for cheap building materials and asbestos cement which can be used for corrugated roofing and water pipes is durable, fireproof and cheap.
However, due to the long latency period it can be 30 to 40 years before someone exposed to asbestos develops symptoms.
Mesothelioma, a cancer generally associated with asbestos, is a terminal condition. Other asbestos related diseases include asbestosis, pleural thickening and lung cancer, all of which can be extremely debilitating.
In 2009 Canada exported nearly 153,000 tonnes of white asbestos, with more than half going to India and the remainder to Indonesia, Thailand, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. Interestingly, Canada only used 6,000 tonnes at home in 2006.
The American Public Health Organisation (APHA), World Federation of Public Health Organisations (WFPHA), the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH), and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) are all calling for an international ban.
Sara Hunt, associate and asbestos specialist at Access Legal from Shoosmiths, said: "I find it staggering that despite the tragic number of deaths from asbestos related diseases, currently believed to be 2,000 a year in the UK, there continues to be widespread use of asbestos in the developing world.
"Action must be taken now to avoid the further loss of life in the future and to avoid the mistakes of the past being repeated. Asbestos may be cheap, but it is a dangerous and deadly substance and its use should be banned."
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