iMig Board Reiterates its Position: “There is no safe use of asbestos”
GBAN applauds the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (iMig)for its public stance against Canada’s recent assertion as to the safety of chrysotile exposure, despite the fact that it is a known human carcinogen. In February, the New York Times ran an article that perpetuated the Canadian government’s self-interested assertions, as it blatantly misrepresented the truth in order to excuse its continued mining and exporting of asbestos. The World Health Organization, International Labour Organization, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Surgeon General have confirmed that there is no known safe level of exposure to chrysotile or any type of asbestos. We in the asbestos community know this, and GBAN wholeheartedly supports iMig’s emphasis of the fact.
“iMig is taking steps to be more active in policy issues, in keeping with its role as an impartial body of physicians, scientists and others committed to the prevention and cure of mesothelioma. iMig now has a Public Policy Committee which can consider requests for iMig endorsements.” – Courtney Broaddus, M.D. (San Francisoc, CA). The Public Policy Committee includes Marie-Claude Jaurand (INSERM, Paris), Jim deWaterNaude (South Africa) and Daniel Sterman (Philadelphia, PA). www.imig.org
IMig has joined the battle against ignorance at a critical time. Our 7th Annual International Asbestos (April 1-3) is rapidly approaching, as is the Global Asbestos Awareness Week. It is through these efforts – and the commendable efforts of organizations such as iMig – that we hope to spread the truth about asbestos. We thank iMig for its great contribution to saving lives and preventing asbestos exposure, and hope to continue to fight the battle against ignorance so clearly exemplified with the Canadian government.
In appreication,
Linda Reinstein, GBAN Charter Member