The rising death rate from asbestos
Published by MAC on 2004-03-05
The rising death rate from asbestos
The global human toll from asbestos-related diseases is set to increase, not just in the South where the deadly material is still mined and ubiquitously employed in cement and construction, but in the US, Europe and Australia. That's the conclusion of a study released on March 4 by the US-based Environmental Working Group (EWG). According to the study deaths from mesothelioma are rising - already averaging 10,000 a year in the US alone - and will peak in nine to fourteen years time. Meanwhile, the Republican Congress is pushing legislation to cap compensation payments to US victims at a mere US$ 110 billion.