GMB To Join Action Mesothelioma Day Remembrance Service On Friday 3rd July In London.
The legacy from the post war building boom where asbestos was used in town halls, schools, libraries and social housing carries on with disease and death says GMB
GMB members will join others from the Labour movement to mark the Action Mesothelioma Day with remembrance services, wreath laying, awareness raising and the release of doves.
GMB members in London will join the commemoration at:
10.30 a.m.Friday 3rd July London Hazards Centre Layden House 76/86 Turnmill Street London EC1 5LG
John McClean GMB National Health & Safety Officer said, "People across the UK continue to live with the legacy of on-going asbestos exposure.
The National Action Day commemorates the victims of this deadly disease caused by exposure to asbestos, mainly from buildings, who have died and the victims that have been diagnosed with this fatal disease.
While exposure to asbestos continues to cause the greatest number of fatalities across the UK of over 4,000, over half of these are attributable to mesothelioma, 2,535 in 2012. In addition the number of mesothelioma assessments for industrial injuries disablement benefit has increase from 2,125 in 2012 to 2,145 in 2013.
Every prediction that the numbers of sufferers and deaths from these deadly fibres has proven hopelessly optimistic with numbers now predicted to peak around 2020. This has been revised at least every five years since 2005, unfortunately upwards, while the legacy from the post war building boom where asbestos was used in town halls, schools, libraries and social housing carries on. Over 75% of schools in the UK contain some asbestos.
The removal of asbestos due to age and degradation urgently needs a full phased and funded plan.
The TUC is publishing an asbestos eradication plan with a view for the removal of all asbestos from buildings by 2035."