There is currently no comprehensive ban on asbestos worldwide. Individual countries, mainly in Northern Europe, first introduced asbestos bans in the 1980s. The mining, processing and use of products containing asbestos continues to be a serious problem for human health and the environment.
According to estimates (WHO 2018), around 125 million people work in workplaces with asbestos exposure. Furthermore, many thousands of people die every year from asbestos-related diseases, not all of which can be attributed to occupational exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos – naturally occurring silicate minerals
Asbestos forms a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals such as the main forms chrysotile or crocidolite. For decades, asbestos fibers were considered “miracle fibers”. They are particularly heat-resistant and have low thermal conductivity. In addition, they are resistant to chemical influences and have a particularly high strength. This made the industrially produced asbestos-containing material particularly suitable for use in the construction industry, where asbestos-containing products were used for roofs, water pipes and other products such as adhesives. They were also used in the automotive sector for the production of clutches, brake linings and brake blocks and, in particular, for shipbuilding. In addition, asbestos fibers were spun into yarns from which, for example, heat-resistant workwear was made.
Hazardous asbestos fibers
All types of asbestos are harmful to health if the asbestos fibers can be released and reach the alveoli of the lungs via the respiratory tract over long periods of time. There is a high risk from prolonged or years-long exposure to asbestos, which can lead to occupational diseases such as asbestosis.
Diseases caused by asbestos
All types of asbestos can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, laryngeal and ovarian cancer, asbestosis (pulmonary fibrosis) as well as plaques, thickenings and effusions in the pleura. Health-threatening exposure to asbestos occurs through the inhalation of asbestos fibers at the workplace, in areas where asbestos is processedor, for example, in the indoor air of homes. In buildings, asbestos fibers can be released from asbestos-containing materials due to ageing or mechanical work. Asbestosis has been recognized as an occupational disease for decades. Although asbestos has been banned in Germany, for example, since 1993, there are still numerous cases of asbestosis, as in other countries where the ban has also been in place for a long time. The reason for this is the long latency period of the disease. This can be up to 30 years. This means that people who regularly came into contact with asbestos at the workplace up until the 1990s can still suffer from its long-term effects today.
Mining of asbestos in asbestos mines
Asbestos fibers are extracted for industrial use by mining in asbestos mines. In many countries, the extraction of asbestos fibers in mines is already prohibited. Nevertheless, some countries such as China, Russia and India continue to mine asbestos-containing rock in their asbestos mines. Further processing of the asbestos rock takes place in asbestos factories in order to extract asbestos fibers of various lengths for industrial purposes.
Introduction of asbestos bans by country
A comprehensive ban on asbestos has been in force in the EU since 2005, which prohibits the manufacture, marketing or use of asbestos or products containing asbestos. It has been in force in Germany since 1993, and most industrialized countries have also banned asbestos.
According to the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat, the mining, manufacture and use of products containing asbestos are now banned in many countries. For some of these countries, certain special regulations apply for restricted uses.
In a few countries, such as China, Russia and India, asbestos is not yet strictly banned, but exceptions continue to apply, which allow the use of asbestos in particular. Asbestos continues to be used and products containing asbestos are manufactured using its fibers. In developing and emerging countries , there is an asbestos lobby against a ban. For example, asbestos factories from Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan formed an umbrella organization of asbestos cement workers in 2006, which wants to stop a ban on asbestos.
The graphical representation of the country-specific asbestos bans was created with the utmost care. Nevertheless, errors in content cannot be completely ruled out. The data sources used are listed below the article.
Asbestos bans introduced in the years 1980 -1990
- Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland
Asbestos bans introduced in the years 1991 – 2000
- Bahrain, Belgium, Djibouti, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, Kuwait, Netherlands, Poland, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom
Asbestos bans introduced in the years 2001 – 2010 (an asbestos ban has been in force throughout the EU since 2005)
- Egypt, Algeria, Argentina, Australia
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Estonia
- Gabon, Greece
- Honduras
- Ireland
- Jordan
- Qatar, Croatia
- Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg
- Malta, Mozambique, Mauritius
- New Caledonia
- Oman
- Portugal
- Romania
- Seychelles, Slovenia, Spain, South Korea, South Africa
- Czech Republic, Turkey
- Hungary
Asbestos bans introduced in the years 2011 – 2020
- Brazil (some states)
- Iraq
- Israel
- Japan
- Canada
- North Macedonia
- Moldova
- New Zealand
- Serbia
- Uruguay
Asbestos bans introduced in the years 2021 – 2030
- Brazil (other states)
- Iran
- Taiwan
- Ukraine
- United States of America
In a few of the countries listed above, exceptions are permitted for minor uses of asbestos fibers. However, all countries must ban the use of all types of asbestos. Special exceptions apply, for example, to special seals. In some countries, asbestos brake linings are still permitted after a certain transitional period.
Working towards a global ban on asbestos – WHO and ISSA
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Social Security Association (ISSA) are the main advocates of a global ban on asbestos. In the 2004 Beijing Declaration, the ISSA’sSpecial Commission on Preventioncalled on all countries worldwide to ban the production, trade and use of all types of asbestos and asbestos-containing products. The WHO works with the International Labor Organization and other associations, civil society and countries to eliminate asbestos-related diseases. The WHO provides information on solutions for replacing asbestos with safer substitutes, on measures to prevent exposure to asbestos at the workplace or, for example, on asbestos removal. It is also committed to improving the treatment and early diagnosis of asbestos-related diseases, raising awareness of the dangers and correct handling of asbestos-containing materials. The ISSA’s Special Commission on Prevention has called on all countries to ban the production, trade and use of all types of asbestos and asbestos-containing products as soon as possible.
Asbestos measurement with GSA measuring devices SG12
If asbestos is suspected in the indoor air, the use of special measuring devices such as the GSA measuring devices SG12 is recommended for precise asbestos measurement.
Even very low concentrations of asbestos fibers in the room air can be sampled with the SG12. The SG12 asbestos measuring device developed in Germany is suitable for sampling inorganic fibrous particles in accordance with VDI 3492 and ISO 14966 as well as for asbestos or artificial mineral fibers. According to VDI 3492 , eight hours of sampling are sufficient. According to DGUV 213-546, a measurement at the workplace is possible within two hours. The measuring device can also be used to measure the various dust fractions such as A-dust or E-dust.
Sampling for possible asbestos contamination is particularly useful when renovating and purchasing apartments and buildings, as material containing asbestos was allowed to be processed and used in Germany in the post-war period until around 1993.
Who carries out asbestos measurements on site at the workplace and in a private household?
Our sister company has over 30 years of experience in asbestos measurements on site. They will also carry out the associated analysis and advice for you. Here you will receive competent help – even without prior knowledge or your own equipment.
Sources:
Image source: 123rf.com ©slavastan Image no. 1117380
www.analyticalscience.wiley.com/do/10.1002/gitfach.17487
www.asbest-sanierungen.com/2020/07/wann-wurde-asbest-verboten-deutschland-schweiz-oesterreich-eu/
www.anstageslicht.de/themen/gesundheit/asbest-ein-krimi-mit-millionen-von-toten-seit-120-jahren-bis-heute/warum-es-so-lange-gedauert-hat-bis-asbest-verboten-wurde-die-darauffolgenden-50-jahre/
www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-bans-around-the-world/
www.asbestossafety.gov.au/importing-advice/countries-asbestos-bans
www.bgbau.de/themen/sicherheit-und-gesundheit/asbest/vom-wunderstoff-zum-albtraum-haeufige-fragen-zu-asbest
www.edition.cnn.com/2024/03/18/health/epa-bans-last-form-of-asbestos-used-in-united-states/index.html
www.ibasecretariat.org/alpha_ban_list.php
www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/chemical-safety-and-health/health-impacts/chemicals/asbestos
ww1.issa.int/en/node/20311 (Beijing 2004 Asbestos Ban Declaration)
wwww.pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2023/mcs2023-asbestos.pdf (USA published 2023)
www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/gesundheit/umwelteinfluesse-auf-den-menschen/chemische-stoffe/asbest#wo-finde-ich-rat-und-hilfe-bei-asbest-im-wohnumfeld-oder-am-arbeitsplatz
www.spiegel.de/panorama/justiz/asbest-prozess-in-italien-zwei-angeklagte-muessen-fuer-16-jahre-ins-gefaengnis-a-815075.html
www.unia.ch/de/arbeitswelt/von-a-z/asbest/30-jahre-asbestverbot (here, asbestos is banned in 69 countries)
www.de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbest
www.wochenblatt.es/spanien/hoechstes-schmerzensgeld-fuer-asbest-opfer/?v=3a52f3c22ed6