ASBESTOS A GLOBAL KILLER Women in Europe for a Common Future - WECF Women in Europe for a Common Future - WECF

Olga Speranskaya, Eco Accord Russia Asbestos in Russia, biggest producer and consumer Yuyun Ismawati, Balifokus, Indonesia Asbestos in Indonesia Annabella Rosemberg, ITUC Perspective of the Trade Unions Markus Mattenklott, German Social Accident Insurance The German case Speakers

WHO: 125 million people occupationally exposed to asbestos, including women and children ILO: asbestos causes deaths globally every year through occupational exposure alone. All Asbestos linked to cancer

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

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: affected Indian child playing on Asbestos dust heap

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 do

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 their asbestos is safe Common sight in EECCA: asbestos slates used in home and garden

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 asbestos Laboratory test of asbestos plate bought in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Kazakh asbestos is same as the asbestos forbidden in 40 countries

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

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 producers

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 asbestos

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 Convention

WECF asbestos awareness programme

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