This is Global Asbestos Awareness week

Global Asbestos Awareness week runs from April 1st to 7th. Its aim is to raise awareness about the continuing dangers of exposure to asbestos, and the dangers of its exposure. Although its use was banned in 1999 it still exists in many buildings, and continues to be a significant risk to health.

The charity Mesothelioma UK is running a campaign called “Don’t Let The Dusk Settle” which aims to call time on asbestos. Based on recommendations made last year by the Work and Pensions Committee, they are asking the government to set a timeframe for the safe removal of Asbestos, prioritising the high risk settings such as schools and hospitals.  They are also calling for a central register of all asbestos in buildings, so that everyone can find out where asbestos is present and what condition it is in.

They say that Each year as many as 2,700 people in the UK are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a form of cancer where 9/10 cases are caused by exposure to asbestos.  Up to 60% of people die in the first year after diagnosis.  The majority of cases could have been prevented by better asbestos management.