Asbestos Campaign

LONDON – A British woman who claims she contracted cancer from hugging her father, who worked with asbestos, is suing the Ministry of Defence for 75,000 pounds ($146,000).

This story was contributed by Carla Kim of Manila Water Co, Inc. The views expressed in this article are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy…

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has created a study group that will look into the possibility of permanently banning the use of asbestos as a component of construction materials.

Trade Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare Adrian Cristobal Jr. declared the other day that he “will take steps to order the removal of products from the market once we have established the clear connection between asbestos-containing products with lung cancer and asbestosis.”

The influential United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) has urged all its 12,000 strong members and all sectors to find and use “viable alternative construction materials and products — if the use of asbestors and asbestos-containing materials cannot be made safe.”

An influential sector of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) described the health risks posed by asbestos “a very serious matter,” and thus called for an equally serious discussion on the issue among their fellow architects.

The main symptoms of asbestos-related diseases include shortness of breath, coughing, chest pains and nail abnormalities, such as ridges or white streaks developing on finger and toe nails.

LOS ANGELES – Sergio Ruiz Nuñez is a lonely man. Remembering his wife and daughter left behind in Mexico City a year ago, his chest starts to heave. He cannot speak. To hide the water welling up in the corners of his eyes, he turns away.