Two Italian researchers, Claudio Bianchi and Tommaso Bianchi, from the Center for Study of Environmental Cancer at the Hospital of Monfalcone in Italy have put together a report that states that mesothelioma diagnoses will continue to rise without global action to stop the use of asbestos.
Asbestos is a durable and fire-retardant compound that has been used for over a century in a wide gamut of commercial applications, including roofing, shipping insulation, and automotive brakes. It was discovered as early as the 1930s that asbestos could be extremely harmful to the health of those that inhaled it, but there weren’t strict bans put in place against it until the 1970s.
While there have been extensive bans and protective measures put in place for the current use of asbestos, those bans are only in effect in 55 countries. That means that only about 16% of the world’s population is protected from the harsh effects of asbestos exposure.
In their work, recently published in the Indian Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Claudio and Tommaso Bianchi showed that multitudes of countries are still harvesting asbestos and using it widely, without restrictions. They also found that many of the countries that are not protecting their citizens from asbestos exposure also do not have accurate or detailed cancer registries, so the numbers suffering from the disease are unknown.
The researchers urge all countries to incorporate bans and regulations on the use of asbestos. Asbestos-exposure can occur when the asbestos fibers are inhaled, even via take-home asbestos exposure, where one is simply exposed to the fibers that are released from one’s clothing.
Mesothelioma is a fatal cancer that can be prevented by proper protection and warning systems, however, if you’ve contracted mesothelioma due to the negligence of your employer, please contact our Baltimore asbestos claim attorneys today. We have the experience necessary to help get you and your family compensation for past, current, and future suffering and medical bills. Call The Law Office of Brown | Kiely, LLP today at (410) 625-9330 for help with your case.
