Government of Victoria, Australia apologizes to workers and their families exposed to asbestos
The state government of Victoria, Australia will issue an official apology to thousands of workers and their families who were exposed to dangerous asbestos fibers by Victoria’s State Electricity Commission. Premier John Brumby has said that the apology is the “right” and “respectful thing to do.” Many of the people who contracted asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma were children and family members of workers who brought asbestos home on their clothes. Mesothelioma is an aggressive asbestos-related cancer that can result from relatively low levels of exposure, but it is generally not diagnosed until decades after the asbestos exposure. Community activists say it’s not known exactly how many people have fallen victim to asbestos diseases because officials “deliberately” chose not to maintain such records.
For the full story, go to the Sydney Morning Herald.
