This is a mail distributed through the lk-relief mailing list about the asbestos issue raised by Paul Blackaby. This article reports the repsonse by Dr Lalith Wikramanayake on this issue and Mr. Paul Blackaby's response to Dr. Lalith Wikramanayake.
by Dr Lalith Wikramanayake
This may be of interest!
The harm that asbestos is liable to cause consists mainly Asbestosis of (a fibrosis of the lungs with its consequent symptoms), and cancer of thelung.
Asbestosis is a very rare condition in Sri Lanka despite its use over many decades. Only one case has been described in the country; and that too in a man, who, for over 35 years had been engaged in breaking down the asbestos plaster from pipes carrying steam in a large soap factory! This rarity is probably due to the open air nature of the asbestosindustry in Sri Lanka. The factories are open and therefore allow a free flow of air. Another factor could be high humidity. In Scandinavian countries and the United States, the use of asbestos in ceilings is prohibited. In these countries, windows are usually kept closed. Bronchial carcinoma is still quite uncommon in Sri Lanka. In the casesthat do occur, there is no history of exposure to asbestos or working withasbestos sheets (except in the case mentioned above, in which the patient suffered from both Asbestosis and Lung Cancer).
The harm that asbestos is liable to cause consists mainly Asbestosis of (a fibrosis of the lungs with its consequent symptoms), and cancer of thelung.
Asbestosis is a very rare condition in Sri Lanka despite its use over many decades. Only one case has been described in the country; and that too in a man, who, for over 35 years had been engaged in breaking down the asbestos plaster from pipes carrying steam in a large soap factory! This rarity is probably due to the open air nature of the asbestosindustry in Sri Lanka. The factories are open and therefore allow a free flow of air. Another factor could be high humidity. In Scandinavian countries and the United States, the use of asbestos in ceilings is prohibited. In these countries, windows are usually kept closed. Bronchial carcinoma is still quite uncommon in Sri Lanka. In the casesthat do occur, there is no history of exposure to asbestos or working withasbestos sheets (except in the case mentioned above, in which the patient suffered from both Asbestosis and Lung Cancer).
Dr Lalith Wikramanayake
Paul Blackaby's response to Dr Wikramanayake
Dear Dr Wikramanayake
Please forgive me for challenging your opinion, but I am afraid you are mistaken in a number of areas.
I have below cited a number of Internet (mostly governmental) sources, and you will see that there is universal acceptance of the dangers of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) of all types (including corrugated asbestos cement sheets) by key international agencies, for example the World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as national governments, for example in the UK and USA. In the UK there is tight regulation and ACMs are now completely banned (asbestos-related disease is in fact the highest UK workplace killer). My understanding from other contacts I have in Sri Lanka is that asbestos-related disease is not recorded and that is the reason for any apparent low number of fatalities. It is common throughout the world that asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma have occurred in patients who have no known direct link to asbestos, but have suffered "secondary exposure".
There is an active pro-asbestos lobby in Sri Lanka. The WHO has identified the efforts of the asbestos mining industry to retain its market by disseminating misinformation about asbestos, now that such products are gradually being banned in industrialized countries. Forward thinking INGOs like Tearfund and many others are committed to using safe, cost-effective substitute materials in the post-tsunami reconstruction programme. I understand from UNICEF that the same is true of some Sri Lankan government departments.
Please forgive me for challenging your opinion, but I am afraid you are mistaken in a number of areas.
I have below cited a number of Internet (mostly governmental) sources, and you will see that there is universal acceptance of the dangers of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) of all types (including corrugated asbestos cement sheets) by key international agencies, for example the World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as national governments, for example in the UK and USA. In the UK there is tight regulation and ACMs are now completely banned (asbestos-related disease is in fact the highest UK workplace killer). My understanding from other contacts I have in Sri Lanka is that asbestos-related disease is not recorded and that is the reason for any apparent low number of fatalities. It is common throughout the world that asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma have occurred in patients who have no known direct link to asbestos, but have suffered "secondary exposure".
There is an active pro-asbestos lobby in Sri Lanka. The WHO has identified the efforts of the asbestos mining industry to retain its market by disseminating misinformation about asbestos, now that such products are gradually being banned in industrialized countries. Forward thinking INGOs like Tearfund and many others are committed to using safe, cost-effective substitute materials in the post-tsunami reconstruction programme. I understand from UNICEF that the same is true of some Sri Lankan government departments.
I have a copy of a report on the issue of the asbestos hazard resulting from the tsunami published by a leading Irish Academic, who has been advising an NGO in Galle. I would be happy to arrange for a copy of the report to be passed to you. I urge you to check the links below for an informed opinion on the dangers of ACMs and would be happy to help with any other question. I trust you will find the evidence conclusive.
References:
http://w3.whosea.org/EN/Section23/Section1108/Section1835/Section1864_8658.htm - WHO on the http://w3.whosea.org/EN/Section23/Section1108/Section1835/Section1864_8700.htm - Further WHO reference to the risk of asbestos debris being recycled, something which apparently is happening
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/asbindex.htm - UK government link
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos - USA government link
http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos - Further UK government link
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos - USA government link
http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos - Further UK government link
Regards, Paul Blackaby.
