iMig has endorsed the North American Declaration to Eliminate Asbestos-related Diseases, which was released today (Dec. 8, 2011).

We invite our members to read the Declaration and sign the petition.

Here is an article recently published by the Asian/Pacific Society of Respirology analyzing the increase of asbestos use and occurence of asbestos-related disease in Asia.

The proportion of global asbestos use attributed to Asia has been steadily increasing over the years from 14% (1920–1970) to 33% (1971–2000) to 64% (2001–2007).

Asbestos use in Asia has now reached formidable levels in terms of per capita use and absolute volumes and a surge of asbestos-related diseases should be anticipated in the coming decades.

The Board of iMig deeply regrets that the Quebec Government has provided the loan guarantee that enables resumption of asbestos mining in Canada. It is further regretted that the majority market for the such asbestos is likely to be the developing countries. Our previous statement on the matter stands as below:

We, the Board of iMig, wish to expand on our position, in response to the points summarized in the New York Times article of February 3, 2011 (see article link in menu at right).
We strongly disagree with Mr. Coulombe’s …

Here is an article from the New York Times discussing the proposal to reopen the Jeffrey mine in Canada.
G. Bernard Coulombe, president of the Jeffrey mine in Asbestos (Quebec), argues that chrysotile asbestos mining should resume. The political strength of asbestos will be tested this month when the province is expected to announce a decision on the loan guarantee.
As you may know, iMig has taken a position against the re-opening of the mine and future sales in India, Pakistan and Vietnam.

A powerful editorial by Prof. Gilles Paradis on chrysotile asbestos export.

A useful resource recommended by our new iMig President Dr. Steve Mutsaers.
Dangers in the Dust: Inside the Global Asbestos Trade is based on extensive research in eight countries. The team relied on thousands of pages of documents, including court filings, scientific studies, and financial records, as well as on interviews with health officials, industry representatives, scientists, victims, lawyers, and activists.
The team’s reporting reveals close relationships among the industry, governments and scientists, and cites predictions from health experts that new epidemics of asbestos-related disease will emerge in the coming decades. Some …

An article from the Collegium Ramazzini on the need for asbestos ban regulations worldwide.
The first call for a universal ban on asbestos by the Collegium Ramazzini was made in 1999. Still, asbestos is though still mined and used in several countries across the globe.
This newsletter provides an update on the topic.

Suggested by Dr Jim teWaterNaude MBChB, MPhil (MCH), FCPHM

The U.K. recognizes that society’s obligation and moral responsibility to remedy the tragic legacy of decades of asbestos use requires funding research to develop effective medical treatments. Will the United States follow?
Santa Barbara, CA (PRWEB) March 5, 2010 — The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation today publicly praised the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Justice for its progressive and constructive new position on asbestos disease.

An article from the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat by Laurie Kazan Allen analyzing the effects of the increasing utilization of asbestos in Asia.

The most common forms of asbestos disease are pleural plaques, asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Asbestosis is a chronic, prolonged lung disease that is caused by continuous inhalation of asbestos particles. However, asbestosis is not cancerous. The second form, mesothelioma is a cancer that attacks mesothelium and is most commonly found in the lung. Mesothelioma is rare or nonexistent in non-asbestos exposed populations but is becoming more common among asbestos-exposed individuals.