Mesothelioma allegedly caused by human rights violations
In dockyards around the world, workers historically suffered serious and chronic asbestos exposure, which has caused some to develop mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer and other illnesses. In most western nations, asbestos exposure has been curtailed, but in some developing countries asbestos use continues to rise and workers are at increasing risk.
A number of dockyard workers in Malta have filed a lawsuit claiming human rights violations. They allege that the Maltese government has violated their human right by exposing them to crocidolite, amosite and chrysotile asbestos, causing some workers to develop serious respiratory illnesses like asbestosis, pleural effusions, lung cancer and mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen.
According to the lawsuit, the Maltese government has known for decades about the risk of asbestos exposure to workers, but authorities failed to protect or warn workers in the dockyards.
For the full story, go to the Malta Independent.
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