Editorial by Machiel van der Woude, director of IAS. Referring to the content of this newsletter, he writes about how asbestos keeps the world seriously occupied. 'The imperishability of asbestos (not for nothing referred to by the ancient Greeks asbestos) and the global presence of this extremely dangerous substance generate great problems in various areas: medical and epidemiological, environment and safety, legal, economic and of course also political' .
As is known, asbestos is well resistant to heat and chemicals, wear-resistant and easy to use for insulation purposes. These exceptional properties have ensured that asbestos has been applied on a large scale throughout the world. The fact that asbestos is virtually imperishable also has its dark side: Once it has been absorbed into the body, asbestos appears to be able to stand up well against degradation and removal by the body. As a result, the tissues in which it is located can be seriously affected. The problems for public health, no sensible person will disagree with, are seriously underestimated. Until 2030, EU experts estimate that only about 500,000 people will die from asbestos-related diseases in Western Europe. And this while in England in 1906 the alarm clock was sounded as a result of the death of patients as a reason of asbestos fibers in the lungs. The cause of death was called asbestosis.
The imperishability of asbestos (not for nothing by the ancient Greeks already labeled asbestos) and the global presence of this extremely dangerous substance generate great problems in various fields: medical and epidemiological, environment and safety, legal, economic and of course also political. In this third issue of the IAS newsletter, this situation is explicitly illustrated on the basis of various messages. For example, the ILO reports that 100,000 people die every year from the effects of asbestos exposure. In Japan, great consternation arose after the publication of a report by the government that 358 people have died from asbestos-related illnesses in twenty three companies. The major concern is that this is partly caused by the fact that protective measures against asbestos have only been taken in this country. In 1995 production and use of blue and brown asbestos were banned (the Netherlands: 1978), white asbestos was banned in 2004 (the Netherlands: 1993). A general ban has been in force in the EU since 1 January 2005. But unfortunately, Europe is the only continent. In countries such as Brazil, Canada, Russia and various developing countries, asbestos is still being produced and used. Therefore, the call in the European Parliament to stop the marketing and use of all kinds of asbestos in the whole world. A general ban has been in force in the EU since 1 January 2005. But unfortunately, Europe is the only continent. In countries such as Brazil, Canada, Russia and various developing countries, asbestos is still being produced and used. Therefore, the call in the European Parliament to stop the marketing and use of all kinds of asbestos in the whole world. A general ban has been in force in the EU since 1 January 2005. But unfortunately, Europe is the only continent. In countries such as Brazil, Canada, Russia and various developing countries, asbestos is still being produced and used. Therefore, the call in the European Parliament to stop the marketing and use of all kinds of asbestos in the whole world.
The medical results of asbestos are very great. The Health Council recently issued a report on asbestos-related lung cancer. According to the council, it is estimated that just over 10% of lung cancer cases are accounted for by exposure to asbestos. That equates to 8 out of 100,000 men and almost 2.7 out of 100,000 women. The medical and pharmacological research is in full swing and has led to adjustments in the treatment method and new medicines (eg Alimta). To date, these efforts have not yet led to a major improvement in the survivability of asbestos victims with lung cancer and mesothelioma. But it is possible to expect breakthroughs in such a long term. In Robinson's article, which is included in this Newsletter,
The legal consequences of the massive use of asbestos are also out of every proportion. The previous issue of the IAS Newsletter mentions the fact that the legal system in the US is in crisis due to the large number of asbestos cases. This also applies to parts of the American economy because a large number of companies go bankrupt as a result of the allocation of many high claims. In England, too, in this third issue of the Newsletter, there is fear of a wave of asbestos claims. The size of these claims still seems to be growing because the circle of dishes is getting bigger. For example, in Australia, a court awarded damages to a former miner on account of his chronic fear of getting an asbestos-related disease and in the same country received a handyman for the first time compensating thoroughly because the company in question had not put a warning on the asbestos product. In our country, efforts are being made to compensate victims who have become ill of mighty asbestos in the environment. This partly on the basis of recent research in Twente, which showed that Twente residents are more likely to have an asbestos disease, people in other parts of the Netherlands through the use of asbestos fibers in roads and farmyards in this province. who have become ill on the grounds of asbestos in the environment. This partly on the basis of recent research in Twente, which showed that Twente residents are more likely to have an asbestos disease, people in other parts of the Netherlands through the use of asbestos fibers in roads and farmyards in this province. who have become ill on the grounds of asbestos in the environment. This partly on the basis of recent research in Twente, which showed that Twente residents are more likely to have an asbestos disease, people in other parts of the Netherlands through the use of asbestos fibers in roads and farmyards in this province.
Asbestos, as we can see after reading this third issue of the IAS newsletter, is keeping the world busy. Hopefully there will come a time when the imperishable asbestos turns out to be perishable.
Machiel van der Woude Director IAS
October 2005
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