Congressman Dennis Kucinich and four other members of Congress sent a letter to the World Bank inquiring about the status of a report about the use of asbestos in construction. The report’s release had been delayed since 2008.
The letter prompted the release of the report titled “Construction Guidance regarding Asbestos”. The Guidance states, among other things, that “Health hazards from breathing asbestos dust include asbestosis, a lung scarring disease, and various forms of cancer [including] mesothelioma” which occurs among workers and their family members.
While regulations restricting the use of asbestos were passed in the United States in the 1970′s, asbestos and mesothelioma continue to be health risks for construction workers in countries with less stringent regulations. It is also a risk for family members of these workers because microscopic asbestos fibers can cling to clothing and shoes and be carried home.
Asbestos is a Class A Carcinogen and as such, no level is considered safe.
Mesothelioma victims in less developed countries may also have fewer legal options for compensation for medical bills. Since many of the asbestos construction workers are men, their mesothelioma death also can result in complete financial devastation where women have few opportunities to support themselves and children without a spouse.
We applaud Kucinich’s efforts to publicize this health crisis and urge for worldwide regulation of asbestos.
Tags: asbestos, mesothelioma
