Bangkok--31 Jul--PC & Associates Consulting
Asbestos Watchdog UK has today praised the decision of the UK Health & Safety Commission decision to recommend de-licensing work with textured decorative coatings containing white asbestos (commonly known as Artex), potentially saving the UK economy over ?1.6 billion and warns the Thai Government that a ban on white asbestos could cost the Thai economy billions of dollars whilst saving no lives.
On 26th July, the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS) held a conference in Bangkok to promote a full ban on all asbestos fibres; such a ban does not take into account the latest scientific evidence that proves product made from white asbestos (chrysotile) pose no measurable risk to health and ignores the UK decision to remove products made from this material from its licensing regime.
Professor John Bridle, Chief Inspector of the UK Asbestos Watchdog, had intended to attend the IBAS event alongside Professor David Bernstein, a world renowned toxicologist, and present up-to-date scientific information about chrysotile (white asbestos) and its safe use. But both experts were denied access to the IBAS conference by the conference organisers and co-sponsers. The Asbestos Watchdog expresses dismay that the participants will only hear outdated scientific evidence.
Professor Bridle commented: “This decision by the UK Health and Safety Commission makes a mockery of the IBAS event. The latest scientific evidence shows that products made from white asbestos (chrysotile) present no measurable risk to health and there is no need to ban it. The Thai Government stands to lose billions of dollars in the unnecessary removal of products that pose no measurable risk to health.”
Asbestos Watchdog has been working with the Health & Safety Executive to correct the UK licensing regime for products containing chrysotile fibres and the Health & Safety Commission decision marks a giant stride forward.
Asbestos Watchdog warns that a ban on white asbestos in Thailand will not benefit the Thai people as chrysotile products present no measurable risk to health.
Over 200 companies in the US have been bankrupted and lawyers and doctors are being prosecuted for claims fraud. Chrysotile is a material that a US judge ruled in 1991 was so safe that “more people will die in the US per year from the inhalation of tooth-picks than from white asbestos.”
Professor Bridle added: “IBAS are attempting to deny the Thai Government accurate information about the health effects of white asbestos in order to prevent them making a similar decision to the Health & Safety Commission in the UK”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
www.asbestoswatchdog.co.uk
Gabriele Cirieco +39 348 07 00 416