Human Toll Reaches Millions as Asbestos Industry Expands Worldwide

Each year, 100,000 workers die of asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, according to the International Labour Organization. Some scientists predict that asbestos will take up to 10 million lives worldwide by 2030. The World Health Organization says that 125 million workers are still exposed to asbestos.

In the fall of 2009, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists began delving into industry efforts in developing countries to promote the use of asbestos — a known carcinogen banned or restricted in 52 countries. During nine months of research, the ICIJ team in partnership with the BBC documented the activities of a global network of industry groups, which has helped fuel use of the toxic mineral in nations such as China, India, Brazil and Mexico. With the help of industry-funded scientists, these groups have influenced government regulations and fought off attempts to ban the cheap, fire-resistant construction and insulation material. Read more about the investigation, key findings and country cases here.

The management of chemical substances throughout their life cycle is in need of further improvement in Chile, a country with a highly active international trade of chemicals.  En 2007 this trade represented 5% of all national exports and around 20% of total imports.  In recent years there has been a significant growth in the use of certain chemical substances and the security of the population as well as the environment are highly dependent on their management, above all in the country´s highly exporting sectors such as  copper mining, the cellulose-paper industry and in agricultural production.

With the objective of achieving greater awareness-raising and sensitization when it comes to the risks associated with the poor management of chemical substances, a seminar on “Trade Union Action on Chemical Risk” was held in Santiago, Chile from July 14 – 15 hosting over 30 CUT Chile trade union representatives from all the regions in the country. 

The Spanish unions CCOO and UGT alongside other members of Spanish civil society show their support to the resolution which to be voted the end of the month in the UN General Assembly in relation to the Human Right to Water and Sanitation.

Spanish civil society urges the government to maintain its commitment so that the access to water and sanitation is considered a human right in the General Assembly of the United Nations. 1 billion people worldwide do not have guaranteed access to drinking water and another 2.6 billion lack access to sustainable sanitation. Civil society therefore calls on the United Nations and governments to look out for the right to water in order to impede that its management falls into the hands of private entities that only look out for personal interests. Read the full press release here (in Spanish).

1.2 billion people around the world suffer due to the lack of access to clean water and 2.6 billion do not have access to basic sanitation.  As part of the call for quality public services for the supply of water and provision of sanitation, it is critical that the United Nations General Assembly demonstrate leadership in focusing on securing these as priorities.  By the end of July, the UN General Assembly will have the opportunity to approve a historic resolution poised to recognize the Human Right to Water and Sanitation.  This resolution comes at a time when communities around the world face the impacts of climate change and a global water crisis.

Passing the resolution will make water and sanitation high priorities at the UN Summit on the MDGs being held in September in New York, U.S. It will also focus attention on water before the Rio +20 summit in 2012, another critical moment for the global community to come together.

Signatures are currently being collected in support of this resolution.  Show your support by signing and passing along the petition.  July 22, 2010 is the International Day of Action for the Human Right to Water and Sanitation so take advantage to act on this now!

Read more here …