The Policy/Public Health Committee is responsible for identifying current issues of scientific or social interest/concern related to asbestos use, manufacture, or mining and their impact on the development of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

The Policy/Public Health Committee is responsible for identifying current issues of scientific or social interest/concern related to asbestos use, manufacture, or mining and their impact on the development of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. At the discretion of the Committee (or at the direction of the Board), the Policy/Public Health Committee will draft a letter, statement, or white paper (as appropriate for the issue of concern) for submission to the appropriate body, agency, or journal and for posting to the iMig website. Any such written document prepared by the Policy/Public Health Committee must be approved by the Board prior to submission or posting.
Jeffrey Mine, Canada
In December, 2010, the iMig Board voted unanimously to oppose the reopening of the Jeffrey asbestos mine in Quebec. It is the view of the iMig Board that all asbestos is harmful. The iMig Board supports the ILO and WHO in their positions that the use of chrysotile asbestos should be phased out.
iMig letter to Quebec’s Prime Minister Jean Charest
The iMig Letter to Quebec’s Prime Minister Jean Charest reflects the Society’s advocacy for global public health and the prevention of asbestos-related diseases. In this public statement, iMig urges the Quebec Government to reconsider its support for the asbestos industry, highlighting the overwhelming scientific evidence linking asbestos exposure to mesothelioma and other serious diseases, and calling for policies that prioritise public health and worker safety. You can acceess a copy of the letter here.
Report by Asian Solidarity Delegation to Quebec
The Report by the Asian Solidarity Delegation to Quebec documents an international effort to advocate for a global ban on asbestos and raise awareness of its devastating health impacts. The report highlights the experiences of delegates from asbestos-affected countries, presents scientific and public health evidence linking asbestos exposure to diseases such as mesothelioma, and calls for stronger policies to end asbestos mining, trade, and use worldwide. You can access a copy of the report here.
Archive list of Asian Solidarity Delegation to Quebec, Canada
The Archive of the Asian Solidarity Delegation to Quebec provides a collection of reports, media coverage, statements, and supporting documents from the 2010 international mission. The archive preserves key resources documenting global efforts to advocate for an end to asbestos mining and trade, while highlighting the international collaboration that contributed to raising awareness of the public health impacts of asbestos exposure. You can access a copy of the list here.
Articles
“White Asbestos Not for us”, Laurie Kazan-Allen (13 December 2010) – Access the article here.
“Stop the Mine!”, Laurie Kazan-Allen (13 December 2010) – Access the article here.
Policy Statements
World Health Organization: Elimination of Asbestos-Related Diseases (2006)
Access the link here
International Labour Organization: Call for a Global Ban on Asbestos (2006)
Access the link here
International Agency for Research on Cancer: A review of Human Carcinogens (2009)
Access the link here
United States Surgeon General: Asbestos Awareness Statement (April 2009)
Access the link here
Officers
- Anna Nowak, MD, PhD
- President
- Perth, Australia
- anna.nowak@uwa.edu.au Get in touch
- Arnaud Scherpereel, MD, PhD
- Past President
- Lille, France
- arnaud.scherpereel@chu-lille.fr Get in touch
- Jim te Water Naude, MD, PhD
- Treasurer
- Cape Town, South Africa
- dr@drjim.co.za Get in touch
- Joseph Friedberg, MD
- Secretary
- Philadelphia, USA
- Jfriedberg@som.umaryland.edu Get in touch
Past Presidents
- 2014 - 2016 Dean Fennell
- 2010 - 2014 Steve Mutsaers
Past Secretaries
- 1997 - 2010 Steve Mutsaers
- 1993 - 1997 Marjan Versnel
Past Treasurers
- 2002 - 2018 Paul Baas
- 1997 - 2002 Per Frederik Ekhold
Current Boardmembers
- Andreas Rimner, MD
- Freiburg, Germany
- Rimnera@MSKCC.ORG
- Anna Nowak, MD, PhD
- President
- Perth, Australia
- anna.nowak@uwa.edu.au
- Arnaud Scherpereel, MD, PhD
- Past President
- Lille, France
- arnaud.scherpereel@chu-lille.fr
- Bruce Robinson, MD, PhD
- Perth, Australia
- bruce.robinson@uwa.edu.au
- Didier Jean, PhD
- Paris, France
- didier.jean@inserm.fr
- Haining Yang, MD, PhD
- New York, USA
- haining@hawaii.edu
- Hasan Batirel, MD
- Istanbul, Türkiye
- hbatirel@marmara.edu.tr
- Isabelle Opitz, MD
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Isabelle.Schmitt-Opitz@usz.ch
- Jan van Meerbeeck, MD, PhD
- Antwerp, Belgium
- jan.van.meerbeeck@uza.be
- Jim te Water Naude, MD, PhD
- Treasurer
- Cape Town, South Africa
- dr@drjim.co.za
- Joachim Aerts, MD, PhD
- Rotterdam, Netherlands
- j.aerts@erasmusmc.nl
- Joseph Friedberg, MD
- Secretary
- Philadelphia, USA
- Jfriedberg@som.umaryland.edu
- Ken O’Byrne, MD, PhD
- Brisbane, Australia
- k.obyrne@qut.edu.au
- Liz Darlison
- London, UK
- liz.darlison@mesothelioma.uk.com
- Marc de Perrot, MD
- Toronto, Canada
- Marc.DePerrot@uhn.ca
- Melissa Culligan, PhD
- Philadelphia, USA
- melissa.culligan@tuhs.temple.edu
- Raphael Bueno, MD
- Boston, USA
- rbueno@partners.org
- Sjaak Burgers, MD, PhD
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- s.burgers@nki.nl
- Sonja Klebe, MD, PhD
- Adelaide, Australia
- sonja.klebe@flinders.edu.au
- Tom Cecil, MD
- Nottingham, UK
- tom.cecil@hhft.nhs.uk
Get in touch
- International Mesothelioma interest Group
- 610 Old Lancaster Rd Ste 100 Bryn Mawr 19010-3807
- Pennsylvania
- imig.mesothelioma@gmail.com