News Coverage
New Report on Asbestos and Your Health
Published March 6, 2004
SIEBERG: Because it's fireproof, asbestos can be a lifesaver. But if you inhale asbestos fibers, well they can be as lethal as a three-alarm fire. CNN's Skip Loescher looks at a new report on asbestos and your health.
ELLEN PATTON: One day, like I said, I was fine. And the next day I'm in the hospital being told that I am going to die.
SKIP LOESCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (Voice over): Ellen Patton suffers from a deadly asbestos related disease. According to a report by the Washington based environmental working group, more than 100,000 Americans will die in the next ten years from asbestos-related diseases.
RICHARD WILES, ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP: At least 10,000 people a year dying from asbestos exposures. And this number appears to be increasing.
LOESCHER: Asbestos was widely used for fireproofing and insulation in homes, schools and businesses until the 1970s. The report, which looked at 25 years of government data on the two main types of asbestos deaths found that most of those deaths were among workers exposed decades ago. The report, which calls for an immediate ban on asbestos, contends that more than 1 million people are currently exposed at their workplace, with millions more are exposed to it in the environment. The industry and insurance companies say asbestos exposure has been dropping for years.
JAN AMUNDSON, ASBESTOS ALLIANCE: The widespread use of it has been so long out that we are going to start seeing everything going on the down side.
LOESCHER: The industry is backing a Senate Bill to do away with asbestos lawsuits. And transfer all pending and future claims to a $114 billion victims fund, bank rolled by the industry. Employees unions and many trial lawyers contend that figure is too low.