Asbestos News
Australian unions want TV shows to take asbestos accountability
Unions in Australia are threatening to report do-it-yourself renovation TV shows if they don't begin to put asbestos warnings in all of their episodes.According to the Daily Telegraph, 700 people die from malignant mesothelioma - a rare and deadly cancer that attacks the thin lining of many internal organs - in Australia each year and any house built before 1984 may have asbestos in it.
"The tragedy of asbestos-related illness has touched far too many families and these DIY home renovation shows need to ensure they're not unwittingly adding to the problem," said Mark Lennon, secretary of Unions NSW, to the news source.
Unions are urging the TV networks to show some accountability and state that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. According to the news source, several channels have not responded to the union's demands, while one producer said that the asbestos is removed professionally on the show and contestants do not have to handle or remove it.
In addition to malignant mesothelioma, asbestos exposure has been proven to cause asbestosis and lung cancer.
8/5/11
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