Kucinich works to reduce asbestos exposure in developing nations

[G_j]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2009
1:48 PM

CONTACT: Congressman Dennis Kucinich

Nathan White [phone]

Kucinich Advances Asbestos Reduction in Developing Countries

WASHINGTON - May 21 - Following a letter of inquiry spearheaded by Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and co-signed by four other Members of Congress, the World Bank has finalized construction guidance that would drastically decrease the use of asbestos in new construction projects. The report, originally commissioned in 2006, was technically reviewed in 2008 but stalled awaiting final administrative approval. In March 2009, Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to World Bank President Robert Zoellick questioning the delay.

"Asbestos is a highly toxic material that has no place in construction projects here or anywhere else, especially when viable alternatives are available. This guidance will reduce exposure and permanent lung damage to citizens and workers around the world," stated Kucinich.

The guidance states: "Health hazards from breathing asbestos dust include asbestosis, a lung scarring disease, and various forms of cancer ... Mesothelioma, a signal tumor for asbestos exposure, occurs among workers' family members from dust on the workers' clothes and among neighbors of asbestos air pollution point sources. Some experimental animal studies show that high inhalation exposures to all forms of asbestos for only hours can cause cancer."

"Global asbestos use is on the rise at the very time it should be eliminated. This report is a necessary first step toward reversing that trend," added Kucinich.

The full text of the 17 page report is available HERE.

http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2009/05/21-9

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http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=92012&cat=15

Congressman Dennis Kucinich works to reduce asbestos exposure in developing nations
Denver 6/04/2009 06:14 AM GMT (FINDITT)


Congressman Dennis Kucinich works to reduce asbestos exposure in developing nations

In the continuing fight to curb the number of potentially deadly mesothelioma cases, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and four other Members of Congress have sent a letter to the World Bank. The letter inquired about the tardy release of a report on the use of asbestos in construction. The report was initially commissioned in 2006 and was technically reviewed in 2008. It had since stalled awaiting final administrative approval.

Congressman Kucinich's letter addressed several key points regarding asbestos exposure, prompting the World Bank to finalize and publilsh its Construction Guidance regarding Asbestos. The guidance states, "Health hazards from breathing asbestos dust include asbestosis, a lung scarring disease, and various forms of cancer mesothelioma occurs among workers' family members," as well as among those exposed directly to asbestos.

Mesothelioma cancer is often considered a fatal condition for which no known treatment can currently completely cure the effects of the cancer, which is why it is imperative that a patient recently diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer locate an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who can provide a free legal consultation as to the development of a possible mesothelioma lawsuit. Developing litigation of this nature may result in monetary funds being dispersed to a victim, who can then use such compensation to pay for costly medical treatments and increase quality of life during their cancer. Those who are often affected by mesothelioma cancer are those who work in the construction industry as asbestos was often used in the development of homes, apartment buildings, hospitals, schools, universities and office buildings.

In the interest of providing resources to workers exposed to asbestos and those seeking compensation for their families, LegalView provides an expansive mesothelioma information portal with resources to help victims suffering from mesothellioma and asbestos exposure decide if they should consider a mesothelioma lawsuit. LegalView provides a wide variety of information, including access to a mesothelioma attorney, a specialized mesothlioma law firm, explanations of the risks of asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma, as well as a simple form that can connect people affected by mesothelioma with the legal help they need.

LegalView.info, the premier online legal resource, is set to relaunch their highly informative Construction Accident Information portal, adding to the extensive knowledge base of the LegalView.info family. This announcement comes as a boon to individuals and families affected by accidents occurring either on construction sites or injuries sustained from working on a construction site, as the information portal can provide access to a construction accident attorney.

[UndertheOcean]

1. Doesn't he know he should care only about US citizens

~Sarcasm~

[fujiyama]

5. With the rhetoric I see from many DUers recently

it's sad that you even need to include that sarcasm tag.

[Kingofalldems]

2. Don't expect any thanks from the fake Democrats

who trash him regularly.

[G_j]

6. they commonly

accuse him of 'grandstanding'.
Of course, this story is anything but.
I suppose having guts and doing the right thing, is 'grandstanding' to some.

[Kingofalldems]

7. Unfortunately they post right here on DU

[valerief]

3. Every time I see the word asbestos, for some reason I think of Dick Cheney getting richer.

By the mid-1960s, health problems began to surface among shipyard workers who handled asbestos insulation during World War II. In the United States, the problem reached the crisis stage by the 1970s, forcing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to place severe restrictions on the use of asbestos. Although the EPA lifted the ban for certain kinds of asbestos in 1991, the public's faith had been severely shaken, and most manufacturers had voluntarily removed asbestos from their products. As a result, asbestos usage in the United States fell from about 880,000 tons/yr (800,000 metric tons/yr) in 1973 to less than 44,000 tons/yr (40,000 metric tons/yr) in 1997.

In other countries, asbestos products are still widely used, especially in the construction industry. Worldwide usage of asbestos in 1997 was estimated at about 2.0 million tons/yr (1.8 million metric tons/yr). Most of this asbestos is used to make asbestos-reinforced concrete products, where the asbestos fibers are locked within the concrete.

Asbestos mining operations are found in 21 countries. The leading producers of asbestos are Russia (formerly the USSR), Canada, Brazil, Zimbabwe, China, and South Africa. Smaller deposits are found in the United States and several other countries.
http://www.answers.com/topic/asbestos

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. Kick and rec

[UndertheOcean]

8. kick !