Fear of asbestos.

Asbestos is an artificial material, and cannot be decomposed.
It is poisonous to human body, once inhaled, it stays in lungs permanently.
It causes illness such as white lung or lung cancer.

This study was discovered for about 4 decades ago.
When this was known, many advanced nation banned usage of asbestos.

Japan didn't.
Well, Japan made a law to REGULATE the usage, but asbestos were still used in many constructions and other usages.
(There are some kinds of asbestos, and Japan banned the more poisonous ones, but allowed the less poisonous ones.)

Until now.
95% of asbestos usage are banned, but the remaining 5% are still used, since there are no alternative material for some particular usages.

This problem is RECENTLY spotlighted.

Begins with the news of "workers in a factory using asbestos DIED."
The known number of people died at this point is over 300, and more are in serious illness, caused by asbestos.
Not only the workers in a factory, but also some people living near the factory, or families of the workers.
News were talking about a housewife who used to wash the uniform with full of asbestos, and it caused her to death.

Condolences.

You might ask me, "Why Japan didn't ban?"

Well, I don't know. I was not there that time.
But I can speculate.

Japan was still a developing nation 4 decades ago.
Most probably, the industrial circles resisted against the prohibition that time. I think I know what they said, something like "We NEED asbestos for quick development of our nation".

Duh.
I don't want to hear their nationalism.

Is that the reason why we have to suffer for the consequence?

IS IT ALLOWED TO KILL SOME PEOPLE AS AN CONSEQUENCE OF DEVELOPMENT???

I'm disgusted.

Moreover, this is not the "past problem".

Because there are more factories using asbestos?
Because asbestos diffuses also in destruction of landscapes?
Because there are many landscapes in Japan which are constructed about 4 decades ago?

All of the above.

But that's not all.

We have to remember:
THERE ARE MANY DEVELOPING NATIONS IN ASIA RIGHT NOW.

History repeats.
Problems come back in different form, we just don't realize them.
I mean, asbestos is not the only problem.
It may be any kind of pollution.

So what's the solution?

Always remember to have a HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT.
This "healthy" isn't only for people, but also for nation, society, and nature.

And that's the time when we can make a real contribution to the world.