ASBESTOSA GLOBAL KILLER

Women in Europe for a Common Future - WECFWomen in Europe for a Common Future - WECF

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Olga Speranskaya, Eco Accord RussiaAsbestos in Russia, biggest producer and consumer

Yuyun Ismawati, Balifokus, IndonesiaAsbestos in Indonesia

Annabella Rosemberg, ITUCPerspective of the Trade Unions

Markus Mattenklott, German Social Accident InsuranceThe German case

SpeakersSpeakers

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• WHO: 125 million people occupationally exposed to asbestos, including women and children

• ILO: asbestos causes 100.000 deaths globally every year through occupational exposure alone.

All Asbestos linked to cancerAll Asbestos linked to cancer

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All types of asbestos can cause:• asbestosis, a progressive fibrotic disease of the lungs. • lung cancer,malignant mesothelioma and

gastrointestinal cancers • Latest research: asbestos increases risk of ovarian

cancer

Research shows, that• excessive risks of lung cancer and mesothelioma

(increased by tobacco smoking)• there is no threshold value• one fibre of asbestos can be enough for asbestosis and

cancer development

Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO)

Health Risks Asbestos Health Risks Asbestos

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Mesothelioma development risks increase sharply • in the case of long-term exposure to low doses of asbestos

comparatively • exposure to high doses

Cases of mesothelomia cancer:• Washing clothes

asbestos workers• Playing as child

near asbestos factory• Living near asbestos factory

Women and children: Women and children: affectedaffected

Indian child playing on Asbestos dust heap

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Main asbestos producers: Russia, Canada, Kazakhstan, China, Brazil

Main asbestos users: same and: • India,Thailand, Nigeria, Angola, Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina,

Zimbabwe, Algeria, Colombia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Indonesia...and others

• 40 countries have banned chrysotile asbestos use, most of them developed countries and some developing countries

What countries doWhat countries do

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• WECF discovered with shock that NGO partners wanted to use asbestos for ecological construction

• NGOs and the public had been told, that “their” asbestos was safe

• People sawing asbestos slates in their house and garden

Citizens in many user countries believe Citizens in many user countries believe

their asbestos is safetheir asbestos is safe

Common sight in EECCA: asbestos slates used in home and garden

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• WECF bought asbestos sample in Almaty, Kiev and Garla Mare

• Tested in accredited laboratory in Germany

• The chrysotile asbestos from Kazakhstan is of cancer-causing type

WECF tested Kazakh asbestosWECF tested Kazakh asbestos

Laboratory test of asbestos plate bought in Almaty, Kazakhstan

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Kazakh asbestos is same as the Kazakh asbestos is same as the asbestos forbidden in 40 countriesasbestos forbidden in 40 countries

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• Commercial tactics of the asbestos industry are similar to those of the tobacco industry.

• Losses resulting from reduced cigarette consumption in the developed countries are offset by heavy selling to the Third World.

• Canada, Russia, and other asbestos-exporting countries have developed major markets in developing countries

• Asbestos industry lures consumers in developing countries that „their“ asbestos can be safely used

• Authorities can not protect their populations health, imports remain uncontrolled as long as not on PIC list

Unethical Commercial Tactics Unethical Commercial Tactics

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• Most asbestos is sold by national companies • No more asbestos multinational corporations exist• These national companies do not bear the costs of

occupational and environmental illness their products are causing.

• These companies are a threat to public health • Scientists and public officials have faced death threats

and attacks on their professional career in the court • International campaigns of support needed for public

health workers advocating asbestos bans in Brazil and India.

Asbestos producersAsbestos producers

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• “controlled use” in NOT a realistic alternative to a ban

• Ban in 40 industrialized countries is shifting sales to developing countries

• International ban is the main solution to help protect citizens in developing countries

Only solution: ban of asbestosOnly solution: ban of asbestos

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• Scientific Review Committee of Rotterdam Convention has proposed listing of chrysotile asbestos under Annex III of RC

• Prior Informed Consent to help countries control imports and exports of hazardous substances to and from their countries

• Few asbestos producing states block decision at Rotterdam Convention COP due to consensus vote: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam, Zimbabwe (+Russia that is not a member)

Listing of Asbestos Rotterdam Listing of Asbestos Rotterdam ConventionConvention

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WECF asbestos awareness programme

Thank you for your attention

Women in Europe for a Common Future - WECFWomen in Europe for a Common Future - WECF

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