- Target:
- Relevant authorities
- Region:
- Thailand
- Website:
- www.noasbestos.org
Letter inviting to sign for “Ban Asbestos” campaign in Thailand
Dear Mr.Prime Minister of Thailand
Asbestos is an occupational and environmental hazard of catastrophic proportions. Globally, each year, an estimated 125 million people are occupationally exposed to asbestos, and 90,000 die from asbestos diseases and it will cause millions more deaths worldwide in the nearest future.
Exposure to any type of asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma and nonmalignant lung and pleural disorders including asbestosis, pleural plaques, pleural thickening, and pleural effusions. I, as a global citizen, feel compelled to express my hope and desire for you to ban Asbestos in your country.
Thailand has been extensively used asbestos for more than 40 years in the production of building and friction materials such as roof tiles, floor tiles, ceiling sheets, insulation etc; it is one of the world largest asbestos consumer.
According to Thai government data, from 1997-2004, asbestos imports averaged 116,500,000 kg/year or average consumption rate of 3 kg/capita/year which is the 2nd rank in the world. Large quantities of asbestos has accumulated and will remain as a legacy of past construction practices in many schools, homes and commercial buildings in Thailand. Moreover, environmental exposure previous use of asbestos will be a serious problem in the near future.
Asbestos has been declared a proven human carcinogen by World Helath Organization (WHO), International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC), International Labor Organization (ILO), ATSDR (Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the US Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA). Scientists and related organization worldwide calls for an immediate ban on all mining and use of asbestos. More than 50 countries have banned the production and use of deadly asbestos in all its forms. The sharp fall in industrialised country asbestos use produced a global shift market to Asia except Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore which has already banned asbestos. Of note is that Asian countries increased their global asbestos consumption from about 50% in 2000 to 70% in 2007.
Dear Premier Abhisit, I appeal you as a nation leader in taking immediate step to ban asbestos and protect public health. Please know of my thoughts and prays as you give immediate attention to the urgent matter.
Your sincerely
The Undersigned
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The “Ban Asbestos” campaign in Thailand petition to Relevant authorities was written by noasbestos and is in the category Health at GoPetition.