October 8, 2012 – At the recent World Cancer Congress held in Montreal, the Union for the International Control of Cancer (UICC) passed a motion to call for a worldwide ban on the mining, usage, and exportation of asbestos and asbestos-containing products. The UICC’s demands followed an announcement that Canada was financing the reopening of the Jeffery asbestos mine that had been shut down years before. The UICC strongly opposes the use of asbestos and asbestos-containing products because it is a known carcinogen, linked to mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer and other diseases.
With over 700 members in 155 countries around the world, the UICC is taking a powerful step in spreading the call to ban asbestos around the world. Many expanding countries, such as Mexico, Russia, and India still import and use asbestos for insulation and construction, creating an increased risk for new cases of mesothelioma and asbestosis to develop. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled can lay dormant in the lungs for 20-50 years before cancer develops in its victims. Banning the mining, use, and exportation of the product now will greatly reduce the risk of mesothelioma and asbestosis in the future.
UICC Plans to Offer Transition Assistance for Countries That Mine Asbestos
The UICC acknowledged the impact that the proposed ban on asbestos would have on those countries that still actively mine and export the mineral. It plans to utilize the help of public health organizations to provide assistance during the shift from active mining and exportation to the total ban on all asbestos and asbestos-containing products.
Supporters of asbestos mining claim that precautionary measures for handling asbestos will reduce the health risks associated with the product. In response, those in support of the worldwide ban on asbestos argue that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Introduction of the toxic dust creates a present and future health risk since the rate of dormancy of the substance inhaled into the lungs can span several decades. A worldwide ban on asbestos would significantly decrease the incidence of mesothelioma and asbestosis predicted to occur over the next 50 years.
Mesothelioma Attorneys at Philadelphia’s Shein Law Offer Assistance to Victims of Asbestos Exposure
Our Pennsylvania & New Jersey mesothelioma attorneys at the Shein Law in Philadelphia devote their practice to helping victims of asbestos exposure. With over 25 years of experience representing clients throughout the tri-state region, Shein Law asbestos attorneys have a proven track-record of getting results and obtaining for clients the compensation they are entitled to under the law. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, we can help. Call us at 1-877-SHEINLAW (743-4652), or submit an online inquiry to schedule an appointment at your convenience.