Asbestos true cost, and alternatives to chrysotile asbestos

Sascha Gabizon, Executive DirectorSascha Gabizon, Executive Director

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

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• 52.000 asbestos death in Netherlands (on 15’’)52.000 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 useControlled use“ of asbestos products was “ of asbestos products was notnot demonstrated 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: 67.000.000.000.000 EuroCost to Economy: 67.000.000.000.000 Euro

• If early measures: 42 billion Euro have been savedIf early measures: 42 billion Euro have been saved

Case of the NetherlandsCase of the Netherlands

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

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

• People sawing asbestos slates in People sawing asbestos slates in their house and gardentheir house and garden

Kyrgyz citizens also believe Kyrgyz citizens also believe their asbestos is safetheir asbestos is safe

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

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Asbestos use in EECCA regionAsbestos use in EECCA region

We discovered:We discovered:• Schools, hospitals, other Schools, hospitals, other

public buildings are build public buildings are build with asbestoswith asbestos

• Households use asbestosHouseholds use asbestos• Asbestos waste problemAsbestos waste problem• Asbestos Industry isAsbestos Industry is dominant dominant • Scientists and politicians Scientists and politicians

are not awareare not aware

Russia and Russia and EECCA: Roofs of EECCA: Roofs of Asbestos and Asbestos and asbestos waste asbestos waste are everywhereare everywhere

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• WECF bought asbestos sample WECF bought asbestos sample in Almaty, Stepanovka and Garla in Almaty, Stepanovka and Garla MareMare

• Tested in accredited laboratory in Tested in accredited laboratory in GermanyGermany

• The chrysotile asbestos from The chrysotile asbestos from EECCA region is of cancer-EECCA region is of cancer-causing typecausing type

WECF tested chrysotile asbestosWECF tested chrysotile asbestos

Laboratory test of asbestos plates bought in Ukraine

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

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Asbestos abatement in Germany, Asbestos abatement in Germany, roofingroofing

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asbestos abatement in Germany, asbestos abatement in Germany, roofingroofing

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Cost of asbestos clean-up Cost of asbestos clean-up

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• Asbestos industry unsuccessfully attempted to Asbestos industry unsuccessfully attempted to influence scientific organizationsinfluence scientific organizations

• It was brought to World Trade Organization It was brought to World Trade Organization (WTO) to overturn national bans on asbestos: (WTO) to overturn national bans on asbestos: unsuccessfullyunsuccessfully

• Countries have the right to protect their Countries have the right to protect their populations health against hazardous populations health against hazardous substancessubstances

Industry sponsored research and Industry sponsored research and lobbying attempts failed lobbying attempts failed

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• Most asbestos sales are now to developing countriesMost asbestos sales are now to developing countries

• Asbestos companies under-price safer, competitive Asbestos companies under-price safer, competitive materials by not bearing the costs of health and economic materials by not bearing the costs of health and economic costs their products are causingcosts their products are causing

Unethical Commercial TacticsUnethical Commercial Tactics

• Asbestos industry lures consumers: „their“ asbestos can Asbestos industry lures consumers: „their“ asbestos can be safely usedbe safely used

• Authorities can not protect their populations health, Authorities can not protect their populations health, imports remain uncontrolledimports remain uncontrolled

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

comparatively comparatively • exposure to high dosesexposure to high doses

Cases of mesothelomia cancer: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 exposedBurden for the poor: they are more exposed

Women and children: Women and children: affectedaffected

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• Primary exposure regulatedPrimary exposure regulated• However, secondary exposure is effecting millions However, secondary exposure is effecting millions

of women and children in the EECCA regionof women and children in the EECCA region

Therefore, women and children at risk from:Therefore, women and children at risk from:• Houses, schools, playgrounds with asbestos Houses, 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

Kyrgyz Women & children also at riskKyrgyz Women & children also at risk

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• Kyrgyz Government signed on to “Parma Kyrgyz Government signed on to “Parma Declaration on Environment and Health”, 12 March Declaration on Environment and Health”, 12 March 20102010

Regional Priority Goal 4, iii: Regional Priority Goal 4, iii: ““.. we will develop by 2015 national programmes for .. we will develop by 2015 national programmes for

elimination of asbestos-relatedelimination of asbestos-related diseases diseases in in collaboration with WHO and ILO”collaboration with WHO and ILO”

Transparent information needed !Transparent information needed !

Hope for Kyrgyzstan: Parma Hope for Kyrgyzstan: Parma DeclarationDeclaration

Thank you for your attention

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