Abstract

LEITAO, Augusto Rogério. July 26, 1999. The launch of European Union path towards the total ban on asbestos. Laboreal [online]. 2022, vol.18, n.1, e19457.  Epub Sep 30, 2022. ISSN 1646-5237.  https://doi.org/10.4000/laboreal.19457.

Drawing on the decision to ban asbestos’ trade and use within European Union space from 1 January 2005 onwards, this paper attempts to recreate the “Community” path, mainly from a legal perspective, until the decision was settled. This process unrolled at a special political-institutional level, the European Communities/European Union, which is not a reflection - nor is it directly determined - by social movements. However, the harm caused by asbestos, particularly during work, did not stop when the ban entered into force. Far from becoming a problem of the past, asbestos became a serious and complex issue at EU today, and it is felt now by the societies of its Member States. Removal, demolition, maintenance or repair, mainly of buildings with asbestos, demand conditions to guarantee the protection of the workers’ health against contamination from dust and fibers released during the works and constructions.

Keywords : asbestos; cancer; work; European Union; law.

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