Asbestos and the Rotterdam Convention
Asbestos: a silent killer on a global scale
13.04.2010 | WECF Campaign
| Countries: | International, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine |
| Donors: | Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM), The Netherlands |
| Partners: | Eco-Accord Russia, Green Women Kazahkstan, MAMA-86 Harkiev |
| Issues: | Chemicals & Health |
| Duration: | 01/2008 - 12/2008 |
Asbestos is banned in most industrialised countries, yet it is the biggest occupational killer worldwide: the International Labour Organisation 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 tumours). 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 Organisation MAMA-86 have issued a fact sheet on asbestos.
"Women and future generations must raise their voices to ensure that politicians fulfil their promises and implement their mandates transparently and responsibly." 
