Dangers of the use of asbestos

Experts have warned of a possible increase in victims who died within the next two decades because of the continuing use of asbestos, except in developing countries.
In a BBC investigative journalist and investigativ consortium, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists track the use of millions of dollars to promote the sale of asbestos to developing countries, which do not have strict rules related to worker safety.

Asbestos industry say, the form used today is that they think white asbestos is safe if handled properly. White asbestos used in construction and widely used in developing countries to the roof of the house, plumbing and other building materials.

But scientists warn of asbestos can cause cancer.

Countries such as Russia, China, Brazil, and India using asbestos as a cheap building material.

China has strict regulations about the use of asbestos, but small companies are not supervised.

In 2010, Canada exported 153,000 tonnes of asbestos to Thailand, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and United Arab Emirates.

White asbestos is prohibited or restricted in about 52 countries with the excuse of asbestos in any form can cause disease.

Many scientists fear, the use of this asbestos-related diseases may cause epidemics of this building material that starts when the blue and white asbestos is still legal.

WHO said white asbestos may "cause cancer in humans", including mesothelioma.

Dr. Vinence Cogliano, from the International Agency for Cancer Research under the WHO, said: "My personal opinion is very high risk of asbestos. This material carcinogen risk as well as other materials, except perhaps to smoke a cigarette. Anyone who is exposed to asbestos epidemic elongate, and exports continue use of this material may increase lung cancer and a type of cancer, in recent decades to come, "said Cogliano.

But manufacturers say the use of asbestos safely to prevent various diseases including cancer, and a number of people even claim that the material has nothing to do with cancer at all.

WHO said 125 million people exposed to white asbestos in their workplace and the International Labor Organization, ILO estimates that 100 000 workers die each year because of asbestos related diseases.