Asbestos: Global Action Needed! 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Worldwide Asbestos Epidemic Revealed, Action urged!

One hundred years of asbestos use has produced an epidemic which has claimed millions of lives in the UK, the US, France, Italy and other developed countries. While the use of asbestos will be banned in all twenty-five members states of the European Union as of January 1, 2005, consumers in India, the Philippines, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Russia and other developing economies are increasing their consumption despite overwhelming evidence that asbestos is carcinogenic.

To assess the asbestos legacy in Western Europe and to discuss the implications for East European, Latin American and Asian countries, campaigners from Italy, Spain, Egypt and the UK will be holding an asbestos seminar as part of the European Social Forum. The session is entitled: Asbestos: Global Action Needed and will take place on October 16, 2004 between 2-4 p.m. at the Natshe Building, 18 Britannia Street, Bloomsbury, London (Item Number 1984 on ESF Agenda).

This event is organised by the London Hazards Center, the Trades Union Congress, Ban Asbestos: France and the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS). Laurie Kazan-Allen, Coordinator of the IBAS, says:

“Even as we implement tighter regulations in the UK to protect the public from hazardous exposures to asbestos, Brazilian asbestos stakeholders are spending US$1.3 million on a media blitz to “reassure concerned citizens” that asbestos can be used safely. This campaign is part of a public relations exercise mounted by asbestos profiteers in India, Canada, Brazil, Russia and Zimbabwe who are determined to squeeze every last penny out of their moribund industry despite overwhelming evidence that asbestos kills human beings and pollutes the environment. If asbestos is not safe enough for English workers, how can it be safe for Brazilians? A global ban on asbestos and justice for all asbestos victims remain our ultimate goal.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. For background information on asbestos, please see the IBAS website: www.ibas.btinternet.co.uk

  2. Journalists can contact Mick Holder, Chairperson of the Seminar, at the London Hazards Centre: phone: 02077 945999 or email: mick@lhc.org.uk Alternatively, contact, Laurie Kazan-Allen, phone: 0208 958 3887 or email: laurie@lkaz.demon.co.uk

  3. The seminar agenda plus a draft resolution and other information will be posted on the IBAS website during the week commencing October 10 at www.ibas.btinternet.co.uk

October 12, 2004

 

 

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