#chemicals & waste #asbestos #Rotterdam Convention #WHO
Recalling the negotiation over listing chrysotile asbestos under Rotterdam Convention over the years, we would like to once again bring attention to an 2014 WHO publication on asbestos.
"Asbestos is one of the most important occupational carcinogens, causing about half of the deaths from occupational cancer." "All types of asbestos cause cancer in humans Asbestos (actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite and tremolite) has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as being carcinogenic to humans." "Chrysotile is still widely used". In this publication, WHO is committed to working with countries towards the elimination of asbestos-related diseases and proposed strategic directions of working. For more information, please refer to the WHO webpage which provides 9 UN languages version of this report.
And please be noted, Rotterdam Convention itself, the secretariat, nor UN Environment should be criticized for the long-term failed listing result. It's the member states, or parties of the Convention making the decisions in the end...