The European Union has an ambitious plan to renovate 220 million buildings within thirty years in order to achieve climate neutrality, but in-place asbestos in those buildings has raised fears of mesothelioma. Those concerns have created conflict between labor unions and the construction industry.
Link to Mesothelioma Led to European Union Asbestos Ban
Exposure to asbestos has been directly linked to malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other serious illnesses, and as a result the carcinogenic material’s use was banned by the European Union in 2005. But prior to the ban asbestos was used constantly in construction, including in the millions of buildings targeted for renovations by the “Renovation Wave,” a plan aimed at reducing energy emissions by the year 2050.
Though the asbestos poses little danger of mesothelioma when it is undisturbed, the planned renovations are expected to release significant levels of the fiber into the air, and that has labor unions worried about the health of its construction workers. While the European Commission is working to find a way to keep those workers safe, employers focused on costs are resisting measures aimed at minimizing the potential for exposure.
Putting Profits Over People is a Persistent Theme in Mesothelioma’s History
In its efforts to protect workers from the risk of malignant mesothelioma, the European Union established an occupational exposure limit for asbestos of 100,000 fibers per cubic meter. Any concentration over that level over an 8-hour period requires work to be stopped and the hazard removed – a costly effort. But in the face of the massive project, workers’ unions want the concentration level lowered to 1,000 fibers per cubic meter. They also want national asbestos registries and asbestos removal plans imposed.
So far, the EU representatives and employers have agreed to reduce the concentration levels to 10,000 fibers per cubic meter, but the workers’ unions say it’s not enough. Says Tony Mosu, a senior researcher at the European Trade Union Institute, “They talk about costs for companies, for building owners. We talk about costs for workers and their families.”
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of a company putting profits over people, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
