Earth Day and Asbestos
Today marks the 39th national Earth Day. Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970, after noticeable signs of pollution and environmental neglected began to alarm the public. By then, pollution was beginning to show up in rivers and streams, as well as the oceans and the air. Not only did this raise alarm about preserving these essential resources for future generations, but also raised alarm about harmful environmental toxins (sometimes caused by pollution) that could harm the health of the people as well as the planet. Most importantly, Earth Day stands as a national and international movement to work toward a healthy and sustainable environment.
This public movement led to Congress’s passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970 and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Asbestos, a known human carcinogen, was one of the very first toxins regulated by the EPA and OSHA. Despite this, asbestos still isn’t banned in the U.S. and Canada.
In fact, Canada does continues to export the material. In 2009, Canada exported more than $90 million worth of raw asbestos to developing countries like India and Mexico, where asbestos restrictions are more lax. Just recently, the government of Quebec agreed to sponsor an initiative that would expand the Jeffrey asbestos mine, despite outcry from health officials.
Sadly, asbestos has been linked to horrible asbestos cancers such as mesothelioma and certain types of lung cancer. Though these cancers may not develop until decades after exposure, the continued use of asbestos could lead to the continued diagnosis of mesothelioma and other asbestos cancers in the future.
Here are some ways you can help:
- Come together with others who want to fight mesothelioma. Join our Facebook group.
- Follow or Like the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) on Twitter or Facebook. Also, check out their website and consider making a donation to help raise awareness of asbestos health issues and advocate a global ban on asbestos.
- Learn more about asbestos in your home from the EPA.
