The problems of asbestos and asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma are not unique to the United States. Around the world, many countries have struggled with the dilemma of how to deal with these issues. Others, unfortunately, have chosen to ignore or deny the existence of the problem.

The following examples tell a story of an international environmental disaster.

England

Until about 40 years ago, the town of Armley in Leeds was home to the asbestos manufacturer JW Roberts. Throughout the factory's operation, fatal asbestos dust escaped and spread over a large area of the surrounding community, into residential areas and schoolyards. Sadly, Armley's story is only one example of how asbestos affected many English communities. Today, about 1,800 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in England. Experts predict that the annual death toll will rise to 2,000 by 2010.

Australia

Australia has one of the highest per capita rates of mesothelioma in the world. Since 1945, about 7000 Australians have died from mesothelioma--a number which, according to one expert, will grow to 39,000 by 2020. James Hardie Industries, one of the worst offenders among asbestos manufacturers in Australia, only ceased production in 1987. This was in spite of a 1964 memo from the company's safety officer, which warned that asbestos was "one of the most dangerous of all industrial poisons."

Canada

While Canada's use of asbestos is low due to strict governmental regulations, the country remains the largest exporter of asbestos in the world. Canada exports 98% of its asbestos production, mainly to Southeast Asia and South America.

Sweden

After World War II, Sweden imported large quantities of asbestos for use in construction and ship building. While the use of asbestos was virtually prohibited in 1976, about 100 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed every year in Sweden. This trend shows no sign of slowing.

Brazil

Brazil is the world's fourth largest producer of asbestos. The country exports 35% of its annual production (around 200,000 tons) to more than 25 countries around the globe.

East Timor

Following an occupation by Indonesia from the mid-1970s through the 1990s, East Timor was left with a new problem: deadly asbestos dust leftover from the destruction. In 2000, the World Bank funded a project to clean up the asbestos. However, workers who were hired at a rate of $3 per day received no warning of the dangers, nor any protective clothing or equipment.

Russia

Russia was the world's largest producer of asbestos for 50 years. Until recently, the Russian government failed to keep records of death and disease attributable to asbestos, using the lack of documentation to deny that any problem existed. Even as late as 1999, although Russia continued to produce asbestos at the rate of 720,000 metric tons annually, no safety precautions were put in place.

As alarming as these examples are, they only begin to convey the true extent of the international asbestos problem. Many more countries in Europe, Asia, and South America have equally tragic tales to tell regarding the manufacture and use of asbestos.