Kapelle-op-den-Bos (Eurotoday Newspaper) – After surviving asbestos cancer, Jan from Kapelle-op-den-Bos calls on local authorities to mandate reporting of demolition work that may release asbestos.
Jan is working for a legal framework to better safeguard others from asbestos cancer, as he lost a lung to the disease himself. The legal viability of the idea will be examined by the municipality.
“The first signs were fluid on my left lung,”
Says Jan.
“At first it went away by itself, but it came back faster and faster. In 2008 I was diagnosed with mesothelioma. I had pleural cancer as a result of inhaling asbestos particles.”
The diagnosis hit hard.
“It was a slap in the face. I have known a number of people who did not survive the terrible disease. Our municipality is therefore the asbestos municipality par excellence.”
Kapelle-op-den-Bos, Belgium, is known as the “asbestos municipality” because of the industry’s long history there.
Asbestos sheets rolled off the Eternit factory’s production line for a long period. Last year, a monument honoring the numerous victims was unveiled in the center.
The statue was meant to convey hope for a future free of asbestos while also symbolizing the anguish endured by those who have the illness.
In 2009, Jan’s left lung was removed.
“I was still quite young and that was hard. Walking is still possible, but running is impossible. I did finish the Dodentocht 3 times with 1 lung. I belong to a very select ‘club of survivors’ of this devastating cancer. I came through the eye of the needle.”
What worries Jan is that he sees that asbestos demolition is not always done according to the rules.
“On the many construction sites, people wear white overalls for visibility, but gloves and face masks are sometimes omitted. Because it is too hot, or too difficult. That puts the workers in danger.”
“But it can also be dangerous for local residents. Asbestos-containing material is thrown, for example by sliding the slates down over other slates. This of course releases asbestos fibres. That poses a great danger.”
“When it rains outside, you put on a raincoat so you don’t catch a cold. So why don’t people protect themselves against asbestos? They may not make the same reflex, because the effects of inhaling asbestos fibers occur much less quickly.”
Jan made a motion to the board of aldermen because he wishes to shield people from the effects of asbestos pollution.
“I asked the municipal council to draw up regulations requiring the client of the works to pass on the date of the works to the competent municipal services. This will allow for better monitoring of whether the rules are being followed and, if necessary, the works can be halted.”
Comments
6 responses to “Kapelle Man Fights for Transparency in Asbestos Work”
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Oh brilliant, a man fighting for transparency in asbestos work—who knew that was a thing? Next, he’ll be asking for transparency in the weather! 🌧️💼
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Seems like Jan’s after a bit of transparency in a town that’s basically the poster child for asbestos—who knew demolition work needed a safety manual? 🏗️😅
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Look at Jan, the asbestos crusader! Who knew being in the “asbestos municipality” could inspire such legal flair? It’s like the locals are auditioning for a role in a tragicomedy where everyone’s wearing white overalls but forgetting the essentials. 😂
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Just what we needed, another brave soul trying to make asbestos as popular as a Belgian waffle. Maybe they’ll start handing out medals for dodging lung cancer next! 🇧🇪😏
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Oh, brilliant idea, Jan! Because why not add a bit of asbestos to the local hazards alongside our famous Belgian fries? 🍟 Just what we need, a new tourist attraction: “Come for the history, stay for the lung disease!” 🤦♂️
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Oh, fantastic, just what we needed—more red tape to ensure we’re breathing in only the finest asbestos dust. 🤦♂️ It’s like asking a fox to guard the henhouse, innit?
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