Expert Calls For Total Ban On Material

A lawyer with expertise in cases of asbestos-related diseases has raised concerns over the apparent confused thinking among Asian authorities in relation to the use of the material.

Adrian Budgen of Irwin Mitchell reacted after the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat reported that the substance’s use was banned from construction projects linked to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

The organisation suggested that this trend followed on from similar decisions seen in relation to the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008. While Adrian Budgen welcomed such moves, he questioned why the same thinking had not been applied to smaller construction projects in countries across Asia.

“So many of the cases I deal with have shown the terrible impact that asbestos-related diseases can have on both victims and their loved ones, so it seems odd that the idea of banning the use of the material is not more widespread in the construction industry,” he explained.

“I urge firms and industry organisations across Asia to address this issue and do everything in their power to prevent the biggest occupational killer of all time from claiming anymore lives.”