The struggle to ban asbestos in the Americas: an issue of public health

摘要

This article has the aim of rescuing the fight for the banishment of asbestos in Americas. The authors emphasize the importance of the asbestos as a problem of Public Health, due to its carcinogenic potential to human health, passing through the constitution of nets of counterpower on behalf of the banishment of the fiber, pointing out the importance of social participation in this fight. The asbestos public policy of health, work and environment is pointed out as a central problem. There are some misconceptions in the field of Worker's Health on facing the risks and damages caused by asbestos/amiantos and it is very important not to restrict the surveillance only to workstation. The discussion must be conducted taking in account Environmental Health and Health Policies. The lack of public policy is viewed as responsible for turning invisible the problems related to asbestos in Brazil. Today, the victims of the fiber are not recognized as such and their rights are denied in several instances of the public power. We conclude that the fight of the society for the end of the use of this fiber and for the end of the countless diseases provoked by its use, it is configured in a political and social movement committed with the social transformation in the search for a society fairer, equalitarian and healthy.