Asbestos World Roundup

In the Netherlands, homes in the villages of Lutjegast, Doezum and Sebaldeburen were found to have asbestos after the residences were damaged in a recent windstorm. Citizens are concerned that the storm may have released asbestos fibers into the atmosphere, where they could pose an inhalation danger to residents. Local officials have yet to determine the risk to citizens from asbestos, and say that they will conduct more tests.

In the United Kingdom, workers who had once worked with asbestos face the possibility of not being able to claim damages for pleural plaques, an asbestos-related lung ailment which can lead to mesothelioma. Pleural plaques result in a thickening of the lung tissues, and patients who develop them are more likely to develop the deadly mesothelioma than those who do not. In 2007, the House of Lords overturned the law which allowed pleural plaque sufferers to claim damages, leaving thousands of those afflicted without monetary compensation to pay for the medical bills for complications from pleural plaques incurred from their years of working with asbestos.

A labor activist, Jamie Hanley, has now been successful in convincing the government to reassess the decision of the House of Lords. A government study is underway to investigate the dangers of pleural plaques and if victims should be compensated. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) opposes the study and possible overruling of the law set by the House of Lords, primarily because it would expose them to over ₤ 1 billion in losses. Until the results of the study are returned, the possibility of payments to victims of asbestos caused pleural plaque remains in question.

Sources:

” Groningen whirlwind releases asbestos“, Dutch News, 4 August 2008

“Campaigners’ victory raises £1bn asbestos payout hopes“, Yorkshire (UK) Post, 05 August 2008

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