Unlike the United States, many countries in Europe and across the world have banned the use of asbestos in order to lower the risk of malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. But the continued presence of asbestos in already-built structures continues to pose a threat, and together with the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union is taking action to further protect workers.
New Rules to Lower Workplace Asbestos Limits Would Prevent Future Mesothelioma Cases
Facing continuing increases in the cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related deaths across Europe, he two organizations are collaborating on the creation of new rules that would lower the limit value for asbestos exposure at work. The countries are also discussing more accurate methods for measuring the presence of the carcinogenic material. The action is being taken in response to 72,000 deaths in the European Union in 2019 alone, despite asbestos’ use having been banned in the EU in 2005.
The continuing number of mesothelioma cases being diagnosed is blamed on the presence of asbestos that continues to exist in buildings that were constructed prior to the material having been banned. According to Eurostat, of the occupational cancer cases related to asbestos between 2013 and 2019, roughly half were identified as mesothelioma, while the other half was largely lung cancer with a small percentage of cases of laryngeal and ovarian cancer and asbestosis.
Mesothelioma Deaths in the European Union Expected to Rise in Coming Years
Experts say that even with the asbestos ban in place, construction workers’ exposure to asbestos – and subsequently the number of people diagnosed with mesothelioma – is expected to grow over the next several years because of the “Renovation Wave” initiative, which has a goal of making buildings more energy efficient. The project is expected to result in renovations, adaptation or demolition of many of the 220 million building units that were built prior to the asbestos ban, thus disrupting and exposing workers to asbestos that is in place.
The greatest concern regarding asbestos-contaminated buildings in the European Union surround buildings located in Latvia, though the Belgium and Lithuania also have very high average asbestos use per building. The organizations are working together to lower the asbestos exposure limit from the current maximum air concentration of 0.1 fibers per cm3, which they believe would significantly cut exposure and reduce the number of mesothelioma cases diagnosed in the future.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
