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We are thrilled to announce the launch of the catalogue for the papers of prolific ban asbestos campaigner Laurie Kazan-Allen.

This opens up over 75 archive boxes of materials to all researchers.

Laurie Kazan-Allen is a hugely significant figure in the ban asbestos movement. She spent over 30 years researching, writing about and campaigning internationally to eradicate the asbestos hazard. In 1990, she was founding editor of the British Asbestos Newsletter: a quarterly publication distributed worldwide to solicitors, victim support groups, academics, medical personnel and research bodies.

The British Asbestos Newsletter (BAN) was a vital tool to share information about asbestos, its effects and the plight of victims of the deadly substance, particularly in the days before the World Wide Web was at its height. At that time asbestos information was in the hands of multinational corporations, government agencies and other vested interests, most of whom were determined to keep tight control over key documents and information.

Laurie Kazan Allen at a trade union conference in Australia, 2019 (Photograph courtesy of Laurie Kazan-Allen)

Kazan-Allen was also the founder and coordinator of the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS), established in 1999 to work towards a global asbestos ban and to support victims of asbestos-related diseases. From the very beginning, IBAS made common cause with trade unions, labour federations, environmental campaigns, human rights organisations and other like-minded civil society groups. The links forged were vital for progressing the international coalition which motivated and sustained all IBAS activities.

The bulk of the collection is material gathered by Kazan-Allen on various aspects of asbestos, its uses, dangers and effects. Journal articles, correspondence, reports, newspaper clippings, case documentation, leaflets and statistics have all been filed under thematic headings including: countries; international agencies; asbestos companies; scientific and medical developments; legal cases; individuals involved in historical and scientific research; and others.

Laurie Kazan-Allen used these research files to write articles, speeches, and reports which are also represented within the collection and on the website of the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat.

This collection joins our growing and popular corpus of asbestos-related materials: some of our most frequently consulted collections. We look forward to welcoming researchers to access this new and important collection.

Asked for her comments on the launch of the on-line catalogue, Kazan-Allen said:

“I am delighted that the IBAS and BAN resources will be freely available to researchers at the University of Strathclyde archive in years to come. I chose to place these papers there as I knew that many of my esteemed colleagues had already done so including Alan Dalton, Nancy Tait, Geoffrey Tweedale and Michael Lees. We all stand on the shoulders of giants and remembering all those who encouraged us, I hope that these resources will serve to inspire and inform future generations.”

Further information:

Feature image: Ban asbestos campaign badges (LKA/6/11)

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New collection catalogue available: Laurie Kazan-Allen papers on asbestos

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the catalogue for the papers of prolific ban asbestos campaigner Laurie Kazan-Allen. This opens up over 75 archive boxes of materials to all researchers. Laurie Kazan-Allen is a hugely significant figure in the ban asbestos movement. She spent over 30 years researching, writing about and campaigning internationally to eradicate the asbestos hazard. In 1990, she was founding editor of the British Asbestos Newsletter: a quarterly publication distributed worldwide to solicitors, victim support groups, academics, medical personnel and research bodies. The British Asbestos Newsletter (BAN) was a vital tool to share information about asbestos, its effects and the plight of victims of the deadly substance, particularly in the days before the World Wide Web was at its height. At that time asbestos information was in the hands of multinational corporations, government agencies and other vested interests, most of whom were determined to keep tight control over key documents and information. Laurie Kazan Allen at a trade union conference in Australia, 2019 (Photograph courtesy of Laurie Kazan-Allen)Kazan-Allen was also the founder and coordinator of the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS), established in 1999 to work towards a global asbestos ban and to support victims of asbestos-related diseases. From the very beginning, IBAS made common cause with trade unions, labour federations, environmental campaigns, human rights organisations and other like-minded civil society groups. The links forged were vital for progressing the international coalition which motivated and sustained all IBAS activities.The bulk of the collection is material gathered by Kazan-Allen on various aspects of asbestos, its uses, dangers and effects. Journal articles, correspondence, reports, newspaper clippings, case documentation, leaflets and statistics have all been filed under thematic headings including: countries; international agencies; asbestos companies; scientific and medical developments; legal cases; individuals involved in historical and scientific research; and others.Laurie Kazan-Allen used these research files to write articles, speeches, and reports which are also represented within the collection and on the website of the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat.This collection joins our growing and popular corpus of asbestos-related materials: some of our most frequently consulted collections. We look forward to welcoming researchers to access this new and important collection. Asked for her comments on the launch of the on-line catalogue, Kazan-Allen said:“I am delighted that the IBAS and BAN resources will be freely available to researchers at the University of Strathclyde archive in years to come. I chose to place these papers there as I knew that many of my esteemed colleagues had already done so including Alan Dalton, Nancy Tait, Geoffrey Tweedale and Michael Lees. We all stand on the shoulders of giants and remembering all those who encouraged us, I hope that these resources will serve to inspire and inform future generations.” Further information:Catalogue for Laurie Kazan-Allen papers on asbestosResource guide for asbestos collectionsInternational Ban Asbestos Secretariat websiteContact us to make an appointment or enquire about the collection.Feature image: Ban asbestos campaign badges (LKA/6/11)...

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New collection catalogue available: Laurie Kazan-Allen papers on asbestos

Further information:

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