The research for this report was based on documentary evidence, interviews with researchers, activists and government officials, and interviews with people burdened by asbestos. We are indebted to all the people who spoke with us, but our greatest debt is to the people around Kuruman and Prieska who told us about the problems of working with and living with asbestos, specifically the effects of asbestos-related diseases (ARDs). We are also grateful to members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) who spoke to us about their struggles to reduce exposure and disease. We recognise that our questions were politically, culturally, socially, and emotionally sensitive, and we deeply appreciate their willingness to answer them. People in these areas often live in extreme poverty, afflicted by excruciating illnesses, yet they were willing to share their concerns and experiences with us. We dedicate this report to them, in hopes that it proves useful to their efforts to address the problems caused by asbestos.