According to statistics from the Minerals Yearbooks of the United States Geological Survey from 1980 to 2022 , the proportion of asbestos production by country has changed significantly worldwide in recent decades. While significant quantities were still being mined in 22 countries around 1980, there are only four main producers in 2022.
Asbestos hazard
Tightening of asbestos limits – health protection
On October 23, 2023, the Council of the European Union approved a new EU directive to prevent and improve the health protection of workers from possible exposure to asbestos and other pollutants at the workplace. The new regulations also include new rules such as stricter asbestos limit values and modern measurement techniques to protect and the prevention of asbestos hazards.