Last week, European asbestos opponents won a victory in the European Parliament, whose members passed a massive anti-asbestos health initiative, 558 to 51.
This initiative calls for a European Union-wide model for the screening and registration of asbestos in all public buildings (as well as those requiring public access) by 2028. It also demands a roadmap to remove the deadly material, which causes an estimated 4,000 deaths in the United Kingdom alone every year, as reported in the U.K.-based news site Rochdale Online.
In my own region I have heard first hand from the victims of asbestos related diseases about the devastating impact it has on their and their families' lives, said a U.K. member of parliament.
Widely used in literally countless applications for much of the 20th century, asbestos was phased out of use in the United States beginning in the late 1970s. That was after it was proven to cause serious illnesses and diseases, such as asbestos lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. The U.K. phased out asbestos starting in the 1980s.
However, asbestos is still a major cause for concern. As asbestos-containing materials age, they can crumble and become otherwise damaged. Microscopic asbestos fibers can become airborne and easily inhaled. Once embedded in the lungs, the fibers can, over the course of 30 to 40 years, lead to mesothelioma and other asbestos related conditions.
Public buildings and private homes across the U.S. still contain significant amounts of asbestos hidden in basements, attics, flooring, walls, and even in the family car, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with asbestos related condition such as mesothelioma, you have rights under asbestos law. An experienced mesothelioma law firm can help investigate your asbestos exposure and may be able to get you compensation to help pay medical bills and other expenses. Call Sokolove Law today for a free case evaluation.
