World Health Organization (WHO) Issues Statement Warning Countries to Stop Using Asbestos

The World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health, recently issued an official statement warning countries to stop using asbestos.

According to the figures compiled by the WHO, at least 200,000 people fall victim to fatal diseases stemming from exposure to toxic substances in the workplace. World-wide, over 123 million people are exposed to asbestos, and approximately 90,000 of these people are diagnosed with lung cancer, Mesothelioma or bladder cancer as a result of asbestos exposure in their workplace.

According to Dr. Maria Neira, the WHO’s Director for Public Health and Environment, “Known and preventable exposures are clearly responsible for hundreds of thousands of excess cancer cases each year. In the interests of protecting our health, we must adopt an approach rooted in primary prevention, that is to make workplaces free from carcinogenic risks."

In October 2007, the WHO, with support of the National Cancer Institute of France, will be holding a global workshop. Participants will make recommendations on how to strengthen policies worldwide on preventing environmental cancers that result from exposure to dangerous substances like asbestos.

Whether you or a family member has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos, you depend on your medical team to provide the best care for your illness. You also need a highly qualified and experienced team of Mesothelioma lawyers. At Weitz & Luxenberg, we can help you file a lawsuit to cover your medical bills, pain and suffering and other expenses.

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