Chrysotile Asbestos and Disease Dr Sophia Kisting Occupational and Environmental Health Research Unit, University of Cape Town, South Africa NUM Parliamentary Presentation 28 January 2003

OEHRU, University of Cape Town2 Commercial Types of Asbestos 3 commercial types mined in South Africa 3 commercial types mined in South Africa Chrysotile or white Chrysotile or white Crocidolite or blue Crocidolite or blue Amosite or brown Amosite or brown

OEHRU, University of Cape Town3 Diseases caused by chrysotile asbestos Asbestosis Asbestosis Lung cancer Lung cancer Mesothelioma Mesothelioma It is by and large poorer members of society who carry the biggest burden of asbestos related diseases It is by and large poorer members of society who carry the biggest burden of asbestos related diseases The advocates of asbestos use have seldom been exposed or suffer from the disease The advocates of asbestos use have seldom been exposed or suffer from the disease

OEHRU, University of Cape Town4 International Agency for Research on Cancer Classified chrysotile as a human carcinogen Classified chrysotile as a human carcinogen Mainly chrysotile used throughout the world Mainly chrysotile used throughout the world Chrysotile associated with lung cancer Chrysotile associated with lung cancer

OEHRU, University of Cape Town5 Role of asbestos industry Historically a treacherous one Historically a treacherous one Exploitation of the poor Exploitation of the poor Fund research and suppressed information if not in their interest Fund research and suppressed information if not in their interest Developed world mostly stopped or controlled the use of chrysotile Developed world mostly stopped or controlled the use of chrysotile Most of Canada’s chrysotile exported to the developing world Most of Canada’s chrysotile exported to the developing world India, in particular is targeted as an export market India, in particular is targeted as an export market

OEHRU, University of Cape Town6 What about the environment and future generations We know that chrysotile causes cancer We know that chrysotile causes cancer How can we continue to use it with this knowledge at our disposal? How can we continue to use it with this knowledge at our disposal? Since if manifests years later as disease we are taking decisions for our children and grandchildren to suffer from the same diseases that is causing one of the biggest tragedies in our country Since if manifests years later as disease we are taking decisions for our children and grandchildren to suffer from the same diseases that is causing one of the biggest tragedies in our country There are alternatives to chrysotile asbestos There are alternatives to chrysotile asbestos