"Although the health risks associated with asbestos had been long observed and were confirmed scientifically early in the Twentieth Century, it was not until the 1970s that the Australian community was made aware of the problem.
Each year 500 men and 100 women develop mesothelioma in Australia, and this is expected to rise to 900 new cases a year by 2020.
As former workers in environments contaminated by asbestos began to fall sick and die in ever increasing numbers, a series of cases put before Australian courts after 1980 established a precedent for civil damages to be awarded to sufferers of asbestos related diseases." (National Health and Medical Research Council).
"Australia has the second highest rate of asbestos-related cancer deaths in the world." (The Mesothelioma Center)
Worryingly current estimates suggest about 2,500 Aussies are diagnosed with #asbestos related disease each year - http://t.co/B9Nwl4FjSG
— Cancer Council NSW (@CancerCouncil) January 15, 2014
Product liability: CSR Limited and/or certain subsidiaries (CSR) were involved in mining asbestos and manufacturing and marketing products containing asbestos in Australia, and exporting asbestos to the United States.
CSR’s involvement in asbestos mining, and the manufacture of products containing asbestos, began in the early 1940s and ceased with the disposition of the Wunderlich asbestos cement business in 1977.
As a result of these activities, CSR has been named as a defendant in litigation in Australia and the United States.
In Australia, asbestos related personal injury claims have been made by employees and ex-employees of CSR, by others such as contractors and transporters and by users of products containing asbestos, as well as residents of and visitors to Wittenoom. As at 30 September 2013, there were 479 such claims pending.
In the United States, claims are made by people who allege exposure to asbestos fibre used in the manufacture of products containing asbestos or in the installation or use of those products. As at 30 September 2013, there were 690 such claims pending.
CSR has been settling claims since 1989. As at 30 September 2013, CSR had resolved approximately 3,571 claims in Australia and approximately 136,421 claims in the United States.
As at 30 September 2013 a provision of $397.8 million has been made for all known claims and reasonably foreseeable future claims.
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| Forensic experts work on a mass grave with more than 700 bodies of victims of Typhoon Haiyan |
| Independent.ie |
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| Bureau of Meteorology Interactive Forecast Maps |
2014 will begin very hot over parts of Australia, as a band of intense heat sweeps across the nation putting records in serious danger with temperatures likely to near 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts. (weatherzone)
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