WHO Declares Asbestos, Known Cause of Mesothelioma, One of Top 10 Hazardous Substances

In the new list of 10 hazardous substances compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO), asbestos is highlighted as a major health risk.  The WHO said action is needed to protect human health from the harmful effects of improperly managed chemicals and hazardous substances, including asbestos, known to cause mesothelioma, mercury, lead, dioxin, arsenic, cadmium and highly hazardous pesticides.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer typically affecting the lining of the lungs. Primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after exposure. Often called “asbestos cancer,” mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many standard cancer treatments.

According to the WHO, asbestos causes approximately half of all deaths from occupational cancer. 125 million people worldwide are exposed to asbestos in the workplace.  In addition, they estimate 90,000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.

New York lawyer Joseph W. Belluck, whose laws firm handles mesothelioma disease cases, says asbestos needs to be eliminated from use in the United States and in other countries.  The use of asbestos has declined in many countries, and more than 40 nations, including all members of the European Union, have banned all forms of asbestos. But chrysotile asbestos is still widely used in asbestos-cement building materials. The largest users are developing countries.