Nearly 50 people including politicians, medical and law experts viewed an explosive expose on the global asbestos industry this week.
The United Nations-backed documentary ‘Breathless’ sees filmmaker Daniel Lambo and barrister Krishnendu Mukherjee fight for answers following several deaths linked to an asbestos factory.
Their journey brings them face-to-face with covert spies and international corporations before finding answers at a remote town in India where thousands more face the same deadly fate.
Mr Mukherjee attended the exclusive screening at Edinburgh’s Dominion cinema on Monday 24 February where he spoke with guests.
Before the screening, he said: “Scotland is all too familiar with the damage caused by asbestos - literally thousands of people have died as a result of being exposed to asbestos in shipbuilding ports like that on the River Clyde.
“Asbestos use was banned in the UK 20 years ago but make no mistake - this is not a legacy issue.
“Our documentary focuses on one firm but it shows firms have wangled their way around prohibitions by simply moving abroad.
“Everything we’re unearthed so far proves asbestos remains in our present and Scotland, along with the rest of the world, has a moral obligation to act and ensure it does not poison our future.
“Lives are literally at stake.”
Despite asbestos being banned in the UK 20 years ago several countries around the world continue to use it.
Asbestos Action voiced its support for Breathless and echoed the call for Scottish action.
Charity manager John Fearn said: “After decades of tradesmen being exposed to the known danger of asbestos it was truly momentous when it was banned 20 years ago.
“However such a landmark move is tarnished if officials sit back and let foreign nationals die in our place - it’s hard to believe it is still being mined, fabricated and used in some of the poorest areas of the planet.
“Breathless will strike a chord among thousands of Scots affected by asbestos-related diseases and I’m sure those who attended will agree that Mr Mukherjee’s words and the film were utterly moving.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the filmmakers’ cause of helping clean up the pollution caused by the Indian asbestos mine can do so here - https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/indianesbestos/
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