UKATA calls for action in Global Asbestos Awareness Week, 1-7 April 2014
Could asbestos released post 9/11 cause more deaths than initial twin tower attacks?
The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is backing this year’s Global Asbestos Awareness Week (1-7 April) by focusing on public awareness of the on-going dangers of asbestos and supporting US initiatives to make this a truly global campaign moving forwards in the wake of growing asbestos fears post 9/11.
“We still have legacy issues in the UK, but asbestos remains a global problem,” said UKATA Chairman Eddie Strong. “Asbestos is still the biggest cause of work related deaths in the UK and this figure is likely to rise as people develop asbestos related diseases like mesothelioma much later in life and up to 30 years after initial exposure. The aftermath of September 11 has also given new impetus to issues surrounding asbestos.”
The fact is, death rates tend to be split between those working directly with asbestos and failing to take the proper precautions or those suffering as a result of indirect exposure, such as teachers, surveyors, architects and even the families of tradesmen who have unwittingly carried asbestos home on their clothing. Yet in the US, 9/11 has created a worrying, new area of concern.
When the World Trade Centre was constructed in 1966, asbestos was still widely used in building and construction. Asbestos is usually not harmful unless disturbed and people breathe in the dust – and while we all know the twin towers collapsed to the ground, what is less well known is that New Yorkers were exposed to an estimated 400 tons of asbestos dust in the aftermath of this process.
Donna Summer attributed the lung cancer that led to her death to this asbestos carrying dust cloud but what is beyond doubt is that as asbestos related diseases can take up to 30 years to develop (and have no cure), the staggering fact is the death toll from this cloud could ultimately be bigger than from the initial attack. Estimates suggest some 410,000 people could have been exposed, with those who risked their lives to try and rescue the survivors at greatest risk.
While 2,753 death certificates were filed in the aftermath of 9/11, others have been added. Donna Summer is a high profile example of post event victims, but there are others. Mr Leon Heyward’s development of lymphoma was ascribed to dust ingested post 9/11 and Jerry Borg’s death from pulmonary sarcoidosis was explained by 9/11 dust. It is highly unlikely they will be the last victims.
“This horrifying story affects the debate on asbestos in the UK too,” added Eddie. “Why? Asbestos not being harmful unless disturbed has informed the debate for leaving asbestos in situ unless it poses a credible threat. What we have all failed to take into account is asbestos fibres being released or disturbed unexpectedly. A terrorist strike is an extreme example; when something as mundane as a gas explosion could deliver a similar result. Asbestos is present in so many public buildings and schools you can see this far from a scare story but a very real concern.”
Estimates suggest 70% of buildings in the UK may contain asbestos, which means over 1.5 million buildings in the UK may still contain asbestos nationwide: a real headache for those tasked with managing and maintaining buildings with this unwanted 100 year legacy to confront and those training people to handle this killer substance safely.
“Over 4,500 people a year in Britain still die as a result of diseases caused by exposure to asbestos,” added Eddie. “Our hope is a global awareness week will bring some of these issues to a wider audience and we can help bring Britain’s hidden killer a little more into the light.”
UKATA is a leading authority in asbestos training in the UK, a privileged position that has only been achieved by hard work, dedication and a focus on Quality and Standards that is second to none. From a standing start, UKATA now has over 160 fee paying Members with many more membership applications pending.
UKATA is always keen to talk to prospective Members who are 100% committed to the highest professional standards. For further information on UKATA, visit www.ukata.org.uk
ENDS
Photograph and caption: UKATA Chairman Eddie Strong
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Jon Gardner
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Ref: UKATA0101 – Asbestos Awareness Week 2014
Published on Thursday 3rd April 2014