The only way to "cure" mesothelioma is to stop all forms of asbestos exposure. In a perfect world, asbestos use would be banned everywhere, asbestos mining would stop, all buildings would be properly abated and asbestos would be properly clean up. But that's not the reality.
The reality is that only around 55 countries have banned asbestos. The United States is not one of those countries. In fact, according to the Environmental Information Association (EIA), around 75 percent of countries have not banned asbestos. Asbestos is still being mined and exported from China, Brazil, Russia –and even Canada, though Canada has banned its use at home. (Side note: the Canadian government recently funded an asbestos abatement project in the capital buildings, yet they have no qualms about sending asbestos to other countries and, in fact, the government is trying to re-open asbestos mines in the province of Quebec.)
The only reason this hidden killer continues to be perpetuated throughout the world is because of corporate greed. Numerous other materials can be used in place of asbestos that don't cause cancer –and the asbestos industry knew for decades before the public that asbestos can kill.
There is no "safe" level of exposure to asbestos. There is no "responsible" way to use asbestos. There are no "safe" types of asbestos.
Regardless of what the industry might say, all asbestos is bad. "Blue" asbestos kills. "White" asbestos (known as "chrysotile") kills.
The only way to protect future generations from mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases is to ban the use of asbestos everywhere.
There needs to be more awareness about the horrible health risks of asbestos, and people need to understand that asbestos can still threaten their health –what you can't see can hurt you.
That's why, at the close of Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2012, we are standing with the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) in calling for a worldwide ban on asbestos: all asbestos, in every form, everywhere.
Baron and Budd, the mesothelioma law firm that sponsors this website, is a proud 2012 platinum sponsor of ADAO.
