Asbestos a silent killer on a global scale
WECF's work on asbestos and the Rotterdam Convention
01.01.2008 | WECF Campaign
| Countries: | International |
| Donors: | Netherlands Ministry of Environment |
| Partners: | Eco-Accord Russia, MAMA-86 Harkiev, Green Women Kazahkstan |
| Duration: | 01/2008 - 05/2015 |
Asbestos is banned in most industrialized countries: yet it is the biggest occupational killer worldwide: the International Labor Organization estimates asbestos causes 100,000 deaths globally every year through occupational exposure alone. This is truly a global epidemic with a preventable cause.
There is scientific consensus based on conclusive proof that all types of asbestos are hazardous for human health. The International Agency for Cancer Research classifies asbestos as a proven human carcinogen. Asbestos exposure is associated with bronchial carcinoma (lung cancer) and mesothelioma (pleural or peritoneal malignant tumors). In some cases, these diseases were observed even among people with a short-term asbestos exposures. The disease can lie dormant for years after exposure, but once activated, usually result in death of the patient in a short period of time.
WECF in cooperation with The Agency of Ecological News, The Centre for Ecological Problem Solving Eco-Agreement and the Ukrainian national social ecological organization MAMA-86 have issued a fact sheet on asbestos.
A full overview of all WECF's work on asbestos can be found here
WECF is a member of the ROCA Alliance, the Rotterdam Convention Alliance, information on the alliance and all its activiteis can be found here
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Asbestos a silent killer on a global scale
WECF's work on asbestos and the Rotterdam Convention
01.01.2008 | WECF Campaign
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