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31 August, 1999After amosite (brown asbestos) and crocidolite (blue asbestos), now chrysotile is on its way out.
UK: The government announced on August 24 that, as of November 24, 1999, it will prohibit the import, supply and use of chrysotile, or white asbestos, thus bringing to an end the use of asbestos in the United Kingdom.
A statement issued by the British Asbestos Newsletter, which is a publication distributed internationally to victim support groups, health officials, academics, environmentalists, etc., said that the timing of this announcement was not coincidental. It follows close on the heels of the directive agreed in July by EU Commissioners for a similar ban which will phase out the use and sale in the European Union of chrysotile and chrysotile-containing products.
According to the above-mentioned British asbestos publication, since the Labour government came to power, UK politicians wanted to take action on this issue but were reluctant to do so due to "threats from international asbestos industry representatives and producer governments which have taken all steps possible to prevent the collapse of remaining markets." Industry spokesmen have long claimed that white asbestos was not harmful, however among many who do not agree is the World Health Organisation, which concluded last year that "exposure to chrysotile asbestos poses increased risks for asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma in a dose-dependent manner. No threshold has been identified for carcinogenic risks."
Chrysotile has always accounted for over 90% of the asbestos used worldwide.
A statement issued by the British Asbestos Newsletter, which is a publication distributed internationally to victim support groups, health officials, academics, environmentalists, etc., said that the timing of this announcement was not coincidental. It follows close on the heels of the directive agreed in July by EU Commissioners for a similar ban which will phase out the use and sale in the European Union of chrysotile and chrysotile-containing products.
According to the above-mentioned British asbestos publication, since the Labour government came to power, UK politicians wanted to take action on this issue but were reluctant to do so due to "threats from international asbestos industry representatives and producer governments which have taken all steps possible to prevent the collapse of remaining markets." Industry spokesmen have long claimed that white asbestos was not harmful, however among many who do not agree is the World Health Organisation, which concluded last year that "exposure to chrysotile asbestos poses increased risks for asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma in a dose-dependent manner. No threshold has been identified for carcinogenic risks."
Chrysotile has always accounted for over 90% of the asbestos used worldwide.