A large number of special interest groups are hoping to convince the Philippine Senate to pass a bill that would ban asbestos. Groups in support of the ban include the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), the Associated Labor Unions (ALU) and the Building and Woodworkers International (BWI).

"Asbestos is a danger to everyone because asbestos fibers penetrate deep into the lungs once inhaled, causing incurable and fatal asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer," says Rafael Mapalo, TUCP deputy spokesperson. "There is no safe level of exposure and the most effective way to protect people from asbestos exposure is to ban the substance," he added.

The proposed ban of asbestos would tie into Senate Bill 741. This bill includes amendments that would help to protect people in the Philippines from being exposed to the carcinogenic material, as well as providing aid to finance early detection programs to help those who are at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma cancer.

"Workers, their families and the public are exposed to asbestos in workplaces, buildings and materials containing asbestos," says Gerard Seno, ALU National Vice President. "By banning its use the government will be protecting Filipinos from the health and safety hazards of asbestos exposure."

"A recent study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reconfirmed the cancer-causing effects of asbestos, leaving the prevailing medical evidence against asbestos irrefutable," said Apolinar Tolentino, Officer in Charge of the BWI Asia Pacific Regional Office. "The more asbestos ban is delayed, the more workers, their families and the public are at risk."

(Mesothelioma News, 07/02/2010)