Global Situation and Activities Implemented in the EECCA region Sascha Gabizon, Executive Director Women in Europe for a Common Future - WECF

Asbestos minerals 2 groups:Asbestos minerals 2 groups: 1.Serpentine asbestos = chrysotile ( white ) 2.Amphibole = 5 minerals: amosite ( brown ), crocidolite ( blue ), tremolite, anthophylite, and actinolite. Chrysotile asbestos: 90% of worldwide useChrysotile asbestos: 90% of worldwide use Focus: Chrysotile Asbestos

53 countries have banned or almost completely forbid chrysotile asbestos use53 countries have banned or almost completely forbid chrysotile asbestos use Including:Including: EU countriesEU countries JapanJapan AustraliaAustralia USAUSA CanadaCanada EgyptEgypt 53 Countries banned Chrysotile Asbestos ArgentinaArgentina HondurasHonduras South KoreaSouth Korea ChileChile South AfricaSouth Africa KuwaitKuwait TaiwanTaiwan SingaporeSingapore QatarQatar OmanOman IsraelIsrael

Use of asbestos in Germany Ban of asbestos in Germany (1993) Chrysotile:96 % Crocidolite:3 % Amosite:1% Interdiction of use of sprayed asbestos (1979) 96% of Use; Chrysotile

4 main Chrysotile Asbestos producers: Russia : tons in 2009Russia : tons in 2009 China : tons in 2009China : tons in 2009 Brazil : tons in 2009Brazil : tons in 2009 Kazakhstan : tons in 2009Kazakhstan : tons in 2009 Chrysotile Asbestos users: 1.Russia and all EECCA countries 2.Developing countries; China, India, Brazil, Thailand, Nigeria, Angola, Mexico, Uruguay, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Colombia, Vietnam, Pakistan... Main asbestos countries

WHO, IARC and EC have concluded that all forms of asbestos cause cancerWHO, IARC and EC have concluded that all forms of asbestos cause cancer including the chrysotile form produced in Russia and Kazakhstan and unfortunately still widely used in EECCAincluding the chrysotile form produced in Russia and Kazakhstan and unfortunately still widely used in EECCA Chrysotile asbestos:Chrysotile asbestos: asbestosisasbestosis lung cancerlung cancer malignant mesotheliomamalignant mesothelioma gastrointestinal cancersgastrointestinal cancers ovary cancersovary cancers There is no known threshold for safety - one fibre can killThere is no known threshold for safety - one fibre can kill All types of Asbestos : lethal risk

Early indications that chrysotile might be less dangerous than other forms of asbestos have not held upEarly indications that chrysotile might be less dangerous than other forms of asbestos have not held up Due to the long latency period of most asbestos-related diseases, phasing out the use of chrysotile asbestos now will result in reducing the burden of disease in several decadesDue to the long latency period of most asbestos-related diseases, phasing out the use of chrysotile asbestos now will result in reducing the burden of disease in several decades WHO: people occupationally exposed to asbestos, including women and childrenWHO: people occupationally exposed to asbestos, including women and children ILO: asbestos causes deaths globally every year through occupational exposure aloneILO: asbestos causes deaths globally every year through occupational exposure alone Long Latency years

UK asbestos death among men and Russia?

asbestos death in Netherlands (on 15 ) asbestos death in Netherlands (on 15 ) Only 1% survivesOnly 1% survives Mesothelioma : dead within 2 yearsMesothelioma : dead within 2 years All asbestos death are unnecessaryAll asbestos death are unnecessary Controlled use of asbestos products was not demonstratedControlled use of asbestos products was not demonstrated Can not be relied on to protect workers healthCan not be relied on to protect workers health Not an alternative measure to the asbestos banNot an alternative measure to the asbestos ban Cost to Economy: EuroCost to Economy: Euro If early measures: 42 billion Euro have been savedIf early measures: 42 billion Euro have been saved Case of the Netherlands

Asbestos industry unsuccessfully attempted to influence scientific organizationsAsbestos industry unsuccessfully attempted to influence scientific organizations It was brought to World Trade Organization (WTO) to overturn national bans on asbestos: unsuccessfullyIt was brought to World Trade Organization (WTO) to overturn national bans on asbestos: unsuccessfully Countries have the right to protect their populations health against hazardous substancesCountries have the right to protect their populations health against hazardous substances Industry sponsored research and lobbying attempts failed

Chemical Review Committee of Rotterdam Convention has proposed listing of chrysotile asbestos for PIC ListChemical Review Committee of Rotterdam Convention has proposed listing of chrysotile asbestos for PIC List List of Prior Informed ConsentList of Prior Informed Consent Principle of Rotterdam Convention: science priorityPrinciple of Rotterdam Convention: science priority All types of asbestos are listed, except ChrysotileAll types of asbestos are listed, except Chrysotile Some states refused to follow advice of CRC at Rotterdam Convention COP3 and 4Some states refused to follow advice of CRC at Rotterdam Convention COP3 and 4 Amongst others spoke against: Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine,....Amongst others spoke against: Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine,.... Listing of Asbestos Rotterdam Convention

Most asbestos sales are now to developing countriesMost asbestos sales are now to developing countries Asbestos companies under-price safer, competitive materials by not bearing the costs of health and economic costs their products are causingAsbestos companies under-price safer, competitive materials by not bearing the costs of health and economic costs their products are causing Unethical Commercial Tactics Asbestos industry lures consumers: their asbestos can be safely usedAsbestos industry lures consumers: their asbestos can be safely used Authorities can not protect their populations health, imports remain uncontrolledAuthorities can not protect their populations health, imports remain uncontrolled Indian child on a heap of asbestos dust, from Russia?

WECF discovered with shock that NGO partners wanted to use asbestos for ecological constructionWECF discovered with shock that NGO partners wanted to use asbestos for ecological construction NGOs and the public had been told, that their asbestos was safeNGOs and the public had been told, that their asbestos was safe People sawing asbestos slates in their house and gardenPeople sawing asbestos slates in their house and garden Russian citizens also believe their asbestos is safe Common sight in EECCA: asbestos slates used in home and garden

WECF bought asbestos sample in Almaty, Stepanovka and Garla MareWECF bought asbestos sample in Almaty, Stepanovka and Garla Mare Tested in accredited laboratory in GermanyTested in accredited laboratory in Germany The chrysotile asbestos from EECCA region is of cancer- causing typeThe chrysotile asbestos from EECCA region is of cancer- causing type WECF tested chrysotile asbestos Laboratory test of asbestos plates bought in Ukraine

EECCA asbestos is same as the asbestos forbidden in >50 countries

Asbestos use in EECCA region We discovered: Schools, hospitals, other public buildings are build with asbestosSchools, hospitals, other public buildings are build with asbestos Households use asbestosHouseholds use asbestos Asbestos waste problemAsbestos waste problem Asbestos Industry isAsbestos Industry is dominant dominant Scientists and politicians are not awareScientists and politicians are not aware Russia and EECCA: Roofs of Asbestos and asbestos waste are everywhere

Mesothelioma development risks increase sharply in the case of long-term exposure to low doses of asbestos comparativelyin the case of long-term exposure to low doses of asbestos comparatively exposure to high dosesexposure to high doses Cases of mesothelomia cancer: Washing clothes of asbestos workersWashing clothes of asbestos workers Playing as child near asbestos factoryPlaying as child near asbestos factory Living near asbestos factoryLiving near asbestos factory Burden for the poor: they are more exposed Women and children: affected

Russia regulates primary exposureRussia regulates primary exposure However, secondary exposure is effecting millions of women and children in the EECCA regionHowever, secondary exposure is effecting millions of women and children in the EECCA region Therefore, women and children at risk from: Houses, schools, playgrounds with asbestosHouses, schools, playgrounds with asbestos Asbestos dust in cities with asbestos factoriesAsbestos dust in cities with asbestos factories Wives and children of men working with asbestosWives and children of men working with asbestos Asbestos in products, e.g. hair dryers, ironing clothAsbestos in products, e.g. hair dryers, ironing cloth Russian Women & children also at risk

Russian Government signed on to Parma Declaration on Environment and Health, 12 March 2010Russian Government signed on to Parma Declaration on Environment and Health, 12 March 2010 Regional Priority Goal 4, iii:.. we will develop by 2015 national programmes for elimination of asbestos-related diseases in collaboration with WHO and ILO.. we will develop by 2015 national programmes for elimination of asbestos-related diseases in collaboration with WHO and ILO Transparent information needed ! Hope for Russia: Parma Declaration

WECF asbestos awareness programme

Thank you for your attention

WECF bought samples in Kazakhstan and had them tested in a laboratory in Germany The chrysotile asbestos from Kazakhstan is no different EECCA Asbestos - just as bad Common sight in EECCA: asbestos slates used in home and garden