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International Asbestos Conference

The White Lung Association supports the International Asbestos Conference organized by the British Asbestos Network and the International Ban Secretariat. The board of directors recently passed resolutions dedicating papers and participants to this important event. WLA members should contact Jim Fite at 4608 Walther, Baltimore, MD 21214 if they want to participate in this conference with the WLA delegation.


PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION - CALL FOR PAPERS

1. Purpose

 

As we embark upon the new century, asbestos continues to cause death and disease to millions world-wide. The objective of this international conference is to examine national experiences, identify problems, discuss responses and pinpoint effective solutions. By bringing together people whose lives have been affected by asbestos, we hope to provide an open forum for asbestos victims, their curers, politicians, social activists, medical professionals, government officials, environmentalists, civil servants, health and safety practitioners, academics, social workers, artisans, building workers and other interested parties.

 

Delegates from developed and developing countries will enjoy the opportunity to discuss their personal and professional experiences. Workshops and panels will facilitate the exchange of information in smaller sessions; poster presentations will offer the chance for input on other aspects. The free exchange of information amongst representatives from diverse geographical regions and across disciplinary boundaries will lead to a strengthening of resolve and solidarity. Vital channels of communication will be established through which information on new initiatives and research can flow.

 

2. Location/Duration

 

The conference will take place in Osasco, a city 20 kilometers from Sao Paulo between September 15-20, 2000. Osasco has been chosen as it was for generations the centre of the country's asbestos cement industry. For fifty-four years, asbestos cement goods were manufactured at Eternit's Osasco factories; for fifty years asbestos-containing brake systems were made locally. ABREA, the Brazilian asbestos victims group, has its headquarters in this city. Press conferences will be organised to heighten domestic awareness of the on-going problems. Brazilian asbestos victims and their families will join delegates in a protest march in memory of thousands of Brazilian asbestos fatalities. Social activists will be able to attend an additional two days of meetings after the three day main event is over.

 

3. Organisers/Funding

 

The conference will be organised by ABREA, The Ban Asbestos Network and the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS). Funding will be sought from trade unions and international agencies. The possibility of commercial sponsorship exists but will need to be discussed as will the potential for charging an attendance fee to professional delegates: i.e. lawyers, doctors, etc. Entry to the conference should be free to delegates unable to pay. There is also the possibility of charging commercial firms for the hire of display booths or tables at the conference venue. Companies such as those which sell RPE or provide asbestos awareness training may be interested. Perhaps publishers of asbestos books, health and safety journals and magazines would be interested in commercial participation. A photographic exhibition, asbestos videos, posters and other visual aids should be collected for display purposes in the conference centre. Sales of these items might be possible.

 

4. Translation/Participation

 

Translation facilities will be available for the following languages: Portuguese, English and xx. Delegates will be encouraged to make their presentations and submissions available electronically; these could be displayed on the IBAS website. Alternatively or additionally the papers could be collected and issued as the: Osasco Asbestos Conference Proceedings; payment for this book could be made to the organisers.

 

The widest participation will be encouraged at the poster sessions; oral presentations will be limited to invited speakers. Calls for papers, poster presentations and discussion groups will be made. Trade unions, international organisations, health and safety journals (such as WHIN, Hazards, etc.) will be asked to mention the conference in their publications. Articles could be written about the conference for publication by: Mealey's Asbestos Litigator, UK Health and Safety Journals, etc. Some possible categories of panels and presentations are listed in the sections which follow:

 

 

 

 

5. Background: History of Use and Knowledge

 

 

5.1 international perspective
5.2 in individual countries
5.3 other

 

6. Asbestos Victims
6.l general/common problems in Brazil, Australia France, Japan, etc.
6.2 country-specific problems
6.3 role of support groups - ABREA (Brazil), ANDEVA (France) and others
6.4 other: MacMillan Nurses in the UK, other national initiatives

 

7. Compensation
7.1 personal injury / employer's liability cases
7.2 product liability cases
7.3 occupier's liability
7.4 government schemes - Industrial Injuries Disablement Body (UK), The Asbestos Institute (Holland), the Dust Diseases Board (Australia), New Zealand
7.5 multinational cases - South African victims vs. Cape plc
7.6 other

 

8. Epidemiological Research and Experimental Studies
8.1 UK epidemiological data
8.2 multi-centre research in Italy
8.3 other

 

9. Sociological Research
9.1. Brazil: invisible sufferers/cost to families
9.2 Eastern Europe

9.3 other

10. Medical Treatment
10.1 research - Dr. Rudd (UK)/ Professors Robinson and Musk (Australia)
10.2 pathology
10.3 current protocols
10.4 palliative care
10.5 alternative therapies
10.6 vitamin A trials

10.7 hospice care
10.8 other

 

11. Prevention: Asbestos Management
11.1 identification/ labeling
11.2 management
11.3 training

11.4 other

 

12. Prevention: Asbestos Removal
12.1 procedures
12.2 equipment
12.3 other

 

13. Contaminated Land
13.1 scope of the problem: case studies
13.2 reclamation: who pays?
13.3 other

 

14. Asbestos News
14.l current asbestos bans
14.2 WTO case
14.3 other

For additional information about the conference, please contact:
Laurie Kazan-Allen
P.O. Box 93, Stanmore, HA7 4GR England
tel: 020 8958 3887/ fax: 020 8958 9424
email at: ibas@lkaz.demon.co.uk

 


Front Page, Week Of:

4/16/05: Spectre to Introduce U.S. Asbestos Bill This Week

5/22/05: Individuals Injured by Asbestos Exposure Oppose Specter's Trust Fund Legislation

10/16/05: Victim's Organizations Form Asbestos Victims Coalition in Opposition to Asbestos Trust Fund Legislation

11/17/05: White Lung Mourns Jose Jesus Pessora

12/18/05: Frist Introducing Asbestos Bill in January

12/04/06: Asbestos Watch Newsletter: Help Celebrate the 27th Anniversary of the WHITE LUNG ASSOCIATION

Jim Fite's Alerts:

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Joe Oliver's Alerts:

Joe Oliver, National Board Member and former President of the White Lung Association, has issued a call to all persons to help gather evidence on the conspiracy by asbestos trade organizations to suppress the knowledge about the hazards of asbestos exposure.

If you know anything about this horrific history or have documents which can be used to further prove their heinous crimes, please contact Joe Oliver, WLA, POB 1483, Balt. MD 21203.

Leonard Makowski's Alerts:

The White Lung Association stands in opposition to The Specter Bill (S.852)


WLA Alerts & News

S.1115: Bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to reduce the health risks posed by asbestos-containing products - This bill is supported by the WLA.

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News:

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Senate Judiciary Committee returns to Mark-Up on May 11th: Proposed asbestos trust fund legislation will further penalize victims of asbestos-caused diseases

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World Trade Center Health:

In May 2003, the Global Environment & Technology Foundation developed the "Asbestos Strategies" report.

British Asbestos Newsletter:

The latest issue is Spring 2005

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News from India:

The latest issue is January 4, 2007

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Features:

December 17, 2000 is Asbestos Hazard Awareness Day

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Current Projects:

Asbestos Museum

 

Articles & Publications:

Occupational Respiratory Diseases: Asbestos Associated Disease -- Reprinted from: Maxcy-Rosenau Public Health and Preventative Medicine 11th ed. (John M. Last, Ed.) 1980, Appleton-Century-Crofts

Asbestos Victims Deserve Compensation Not Betrayal: position release by the Board of Directors, White Lung Association

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Links:


In Memoria:

Paul Safchuck May 21, 2003

Dr. William Nicholson Dies at 70

Ray Sentes Brave Fighter For Asbestos Victims


For more information please contact info whitelung org.