May 4, 2017: At the 8th Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention, taking place in Geneva this week, a tiny number of countries – Russia, Kazakhstan, Zimbabwe, India, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus and Syria – thumbed their noses at the scientific evidence and the wishes of the rest of the world and refused to allow more »
Category Archive: Aban
May 03 2017
Asian Delegation at COP 8 – Media Event Updates
May 2, 2017: The Asian delegation at COP8 is made up of grassroots organisations from India- Occupational Health Environment Network of India (OHENI), Indonesia -Local Initiative on OSH (LION), Vietnam Ban Asbestos Network (VN BAN), Vietnam. The delegation is supported by – Asian Ban Asbestos Network (ABAN), Asia Monitor Resource Centre (AMRC), Union Aid Abroad more »
May 01 2017
Asbestos – out of sight but not out of mind in Asia
By Melody Kemp May 1, 2017: Asbestos resembles polio. Just when you think it’s beaten, it returns like some ghoul. If you think this is overly dramatic, last year Laos was struck by a polio outbreak. This year we learned that Laos now ranks amongst the globe’s major importers of asbestos. And it’s driven by cynical market forces targeting more »
May 01 2017
Asbestos, spying and the Canadian connection
This week in Geneva, delegates to a conference of the parties to the Rotterdam Convention are again discussing whether chrysotile asbestos should be put on the list of hazardous substances. Michelle Lalonde writes in Montreal Gazette, April 29, 2017: http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/asbestos-spying-and-the-canadian-connection
Apr 30 2017
After 60 years, Indonesia now recognizes Asbestos related diseases
Jakarta, April 28, 2017: Asbestos has been used in Indonesia since 1950. To date, Indonesia ranks 5th of the big asbestos consumer countries in the world with total consumption until 2015 reachs 119,405 ton and the 3rd largest country that imports asbestos with total import from 2007 to 2015 reachs 1.043.882 ton. Statistic Indonesia recorded more »
Apr 30 2017
India launches National Asbestos Profile
April 29, 2017: We are pleased to launch National Asbestos Profile herewith which gives comprehensive information on asbestos use in India. The hazards of Asbestos are well known. 55 countries have banned its use, trade, import, mining, manufacturing and other economic activities related to asbestos. Nepal banned asbestos in 2014 while Sri Lanka has declared more »
Apr 30 2017
Union workers in Pakistan demand ban on all forms of asbestos at upcoming UN meeting
April 29, 2017, Karachi: Trade union activists and workers from asbestos industries, including the ship breaking industry, have expressed their grave concerns over the use of asbestos in their local industries. They demanded the government of Pakistan to institute a mechanism for an immediate and urgent ban on all forms of asbestos in the country, along more »
Apr 28 2017
Chrysotile asbestos—a call for action on this hazardous substance
By Kathleen Ruff April 27, 2017: Chrysotile asbestos comprises 95% of all asbestos sold during the past century and for the past 30 years has represented the totality of the global asbestos trade.[1] The scientific consensus is clear that all forms of asbestos are harmful and should be banned.[2, 3, 4, 5] In light of clear evidence linking asbestos more »
Apr 27 2017
Concordia University withdraws asbestos report
April 26, 2017: In response to a complaint from scientists, academics and civil society organisations, Concordia University in Montreal has posted a notice that Concordia has withdrawn a report that the university funded and published in 2015, Lessons from the Quebec Asbestos Industry: Can there be meaningful dialogue and consensus when facts come up against feelings? more »
Apr 26 2017
Daily report on Basel, Rotterdam & Stockholm COPs
The Earth Negotiations Bulletin is published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development – Reporting Services Division (IISD-RS). It is now providing a daily report of what is happening at the Basel, Rotterdam & Stockholm COPs. If you go to their website - http://enb.iisd.org/chemical/cops/2017/ - you will see photos taken each day at the COPs and at the top, more »