Brazil ’s Asbestos Ban Will Impact US Imports

In a landmark decision, Brazil severed ties with asbestos. The world’s third-largest producer of chrysotile asbestos, also known as white asbestos, ruled last week to ban the production, distribution and use of the toxic mineral. Brazil’s Supreme Court on Nov. 29 voted 7 to 2 on the measure to ban the substance responsible for deadly mesothelioma and other diseases. According to the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS), the vote makes Brazil the most populous country to ban asbestos. China, India and the United States — countries with populations that surpass the South American nation — still use chrysotile in some capacity. Although the U.S. no longer mines the mineral, the nation imported an estimated 705 metric tons of raw asbestos last year, according to data from the Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission. Roughly 95 percent of U.S. asbestos imports come from Brazil. Since 2013, the U.S. spent an estimated $4 million buying asbestos from Brazil. The chloralkali industry, which uses durable and fireproof asbestos diaphragms in its chlorine manufacturing process, is responsible for nearly all imports. A total of 62 countries have banned asbestos, according to IBAS. The U.S. remains one of the few industrialized countries without a ban or phase-out plan in place. Of the 10 most populous countries in the world, only Brazil and Japan have passed comprehensive legislation to ban asbestos. Roughly 10,000 Americans die each yea...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: asbestos bans Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization asbestos exporters Association of the Asbestos-Exposed brazil asbestos Brazilian Supreme Federal Court China chloralkali industry Chrysotile asbestos Department of Commerce Dr. Arth Source Type: news