Use of any type of asbestos as a building material carries unacceptable
Friday, 26 May 2006
 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Re: "Asbestos can cause cancer, but 'it's cheap'," News, May 14
This article points out that Thailand still permits the use of white asbestos, called chrysotile, as a raw material in manufacturing.
Scientific evidence clearly shows that all kinds of asbestos, including chrysotile, can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma (asbestos-specific cancer) 25-40 years after exposure. The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation has classified chrysotile as group 1 (carcinogenic to humans). The International Programme on Chemical Safety has classified chrysotile as a carcinogen.The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that asbestos kills 100,000 workers a year worldwide. The extensive use of asbestos in the 1970s in industrially developed countries lies behind many of the asbestos-related cancer cases we see today.

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Millions of workers' health to be protected by Europe's first multisector agreement
Thursday, 27 April 2006

More than 2 million workers in many different sectors across Europe will be covered by the first European multisector agreement to be signed today. It will protect workers exposed to crystalline silica dust, which can lead to silicosis, a potentially fatal lung condition. Silicosis is also linked to other dangerous lung conditions, such as emphysema and lung cancer. Today's agreement aims to reduce workers' exposure to crystalline silica dust through good practice in the workplace. It will be signed by the social partners (trades unions and employers' representatives) in the presence of EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimír Špidla.

Crystalline silica is a mineral which accounts for around 12% of the Earth's crust and is widely used in activities such as blasting, bagging and mixing materials, grinding and spray glazing. Inhaling respirable crystalline silica can lead to silicosis. Workers in most sectors involved in use of silica crystalline will be covered by today's agreement. These include aggregates, extractive industries, cement, foundries, glass industry, ceramic industry, industrial minerals, mineral wool, natural stone industry, mortar, pre-cast concrete and metalliferous minerals. Ancillary activities related to these sectors, such as handling of materials, storage and transport are also covered by the agreement.


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PTRC website launched
Thursday, 25 May 2006

 PTRC website launched.

Click here to see it.

PTRC is a registered voluntary organization working on the issue of Occupational Safety and Health. It was registered in 1992 under Societies Registration Act and Bombay Public Trust Act. It is also Registered under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.


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