Health dept pleads with govt to halt killer asbestos imports

The Medical Service Department's Dr Rewat Wisarutwej says it and the Thai Occupational Association will plead with the government to do the same.

The victim is a tilingfactory worker. He was diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this year. It was confirmed inhaling poisonous, carcinogenic asbestos particles caused it.

Asbestos exposure becomes a health concern when high concentrations of fibres are inhaled over a long time period. People who become ill from asbestos are almost always those who are exposed on a daytoday basis in a job where they work directly with the material.

Asbestos is known to cause lung, abdomen and heartlining cancers. The symptoms often do not develop until long after exposure.

Asbestos is now internationally recognised as a health hazard and is highly regulated. It is used in the manufacture of products like textiles, friction products, insulation and other building materials, automotive brakes and clutches.

Here in Thailand, thousands of workers are at risk in the workplace.

But, Rewat says many countries including the US, Europe and even China and Vietnam ban the import of asbestos.

However, Thailand remains among the world's top importers of the killer. Every year about 2 million tonnes of asbestos are mined. Russia is the largest producer followed by China and Kazakhstan.