Asbestos, asbestos everywhere
In 2015 the government of Sri Lanka changed. The new government proposed a ban on asbestos, to be fully in place in 2018, but was pushed back to 2024.
The producers of asbestos applied pressure. The producers are Russian companies. They won. The ban has never taken effect.
Asbestos is everywhere. You walk on it as a tourist every day. It’s in all the roofs and fences.
Russia, coincidently, is one of the biggest importers of Sri Lankan tea. Are, leverage, hello. Capitalism and extraction to the global north are alive and well.
The government of Sri Lanka suppresses access to the records of construction employees. Therefore, it is hard to know how many people are succumbing to mesothelioma. (Asbestos cancer of the lungs). Additionally, there are no organised health and safety inputs in Sri Lankan construction.
One small study of 149 people (regular people from all walks of life) showed that 16 people showed early lung fibrosis, and 27 showed other lung conditions. Six were tsunami debris clearing workers, 6 were demolition workers, and others worked in construction. The employees might be tested, but the results are not disclosed to the employees. ‘Oh, you have early signs of lung cancer, but we will not tell you.’
“Lack of evidence” has built and propagated ignorance of the danger surrounding Sri Lankan people every day as they live their lives.
Meanwhile, in my hometown, people were prevented from going to a park because asbestos had found its way into the mulch. Minute amounts.
When we look under the covers in developing countries, we see similar stories in every nook and cranny.
The local people are the uncared-for side effects of a monster—Moloch—who has no heart, no soul, no love for anything but consuming everything for its own gain.
We are far enough away to pretend it doesn’t exist and we can do nothing.
Colonisation is alive and well. Thriving indeed. Even decades after the obvious colonisers have left. And in places like Israel, the on-ground colonisation of the West Bank and Gaza happens under the watch of the world.
I am untangling, a holiday that I wasn’t expecting to bring me so face to face with everything I loath, everything I stand against.
Syntropic World is my attempt at creating different. Back to work on Wednesday and I will have even greater resolve. This horror and casual disregard for life must stop.
It can never be success for the few at the cost of the many.
Photo Taken August 31st 2024
