Jul 27, 2009 - Swiss Company Owners to be Tried over Asbestos Deaths
A trial has been set to begin December 10 in Turin, Italy against two key shareholders of Eternit, a Swiss construction company, for alleged negligence to protect workers at their plants and nearby residents from exposure to asbestos. Eternit took control of the asbestos-cement factory in Casale Monferrato, near Turin, in 1973. Workers and residents claim contamination from Eternit’s products caused environmental and occupational exposure to asbestos which resulted in disease and death.
Prosecutors say Stephan Schmidheiny of Switzerland and Jean-Louis de Cartier of Belgium are responsible for asbestos related deaths of almost 3000 former workers from several Italian Eternit factories and nearby residents. In addition to the deaths, approximately 800 former workers and residents are suffering from asbestos related diseases, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the lining of the chest, lungs, or abdomen and is directly linked with exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos related illnesses can take decades to develop, with symptoms of mesothelioma not appearing until 20 to 50 years after exposure. Due to the long latency period, more cases are reported each year, and a civil lawsuit has been attached to the criminal proceedings.
Asbestos was commonly used in construction materials because of its extraordinary heat, fire and erosion resistant properties. The Italian operation sold asbestos locally for the construction of roads and houses and produced roof coverings, insulated pipes and other asbestos products. Negligence and failure to protect workers and residents from asbestos contamination occurred not only in Italy but also in other countries where Eternit pollution has caused many to suffer from mesothelioma and asbestos related lung cancers.
Former CEO of his family’s asbestos construction materials enterprise Eternit, Stephan Schmidheiny has since removed himself from all formal positions at the company and now focuses on philanthropy and developing eco-efficient and sustainable practices for businesses. Former offers of monetary compensation to former employees and local residents to cover medical costs incurred due to asbestos related illnesses and deaths have been rejected.
Both Schmidheiny and Cartier could face up to 12 years in prison if convicted.
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