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Asian Asbestos Conference 2009 (AAC): Strengthening the Grassroots Asbestos Movement in Asia
April 26-28, Hong Kong


Introduction and Background

“….asbestos cancer epidemic may take 10 million lives worldwide before its probable global ban”
- Joseph LaDou from the University of California

“Asbestos is the most important single factor causing death and disability at work, some 100,000 fatalities a year”

“…every 170 tons of asbestos is responsible for one mesothelioma - a fatal cancer of the linings of the lungs - and for two lung cancers.”
- Dr. Jukka Takala, former director of ILO’s SafeWork programme


It is not only unfortunate but gravely tragic to talk about the issue of asbestos in the year 2009. A majority of countries in west have either banned it or reduced its use to bare minimum owing to the unprecedented death and destruction that this previously believed ‘miracle mineral’ has caused.  The most logical step that rest of the countries could have taken was to simply ban this hazardous and dangerous substance that has killed and diseased thousands of workers and community members globally, continues to kill today and will kill for many more years even in countries that have completely stopped its use.