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The case for a global ban on asbestos.
Joseph LaDou1, Barry Castleman, Arthur Frank
1University of California-San Francisco, USA. joeladou@aol.com
Environmental Health Perspectives
|July 6, 2010
Summary
Chrysotile asbestos, despite its widespread use, is a proven human carcinogen. No safe exposure level exists, and an urgent international ban is needed to prevent asbestos-related illnesses and deaths.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Despite bans in 52 countries, asbestos use persists globally, with chrysotile asbestos comprising over 95% of historical usage.
- Exemptions for chrysotile asbestos, often termed "controlled use," continue in many nations that have banned other asbestos forms.
- The asbestos mining and manufacturing industry exerts significant political and economic influence on asbestos regulations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate scientific and political literature supporting chrysotile asbestos exemptions.
- To analyze the influence of the asbestos industry on the continued use of chrysotile.
- To advocate for a comprehensive global ban on all asbestos types.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific publications.
- Analysis of political and economic factors influencing asbestos policy.
- Evaluation of industry-supported research versus independent scientific consensus.
Main Results:
- All asbestos forms, including chrysotile, are definitively classified as human carcinogens.
- Asbestos exposure is linked to malignant mesothelioma, lung, laryngeal, ovarian, and gastrointestinal cancers.
- No safe threshold for asbestos exposure has been established; all exposures carry risk.
Conclusions:
- A global ban on all asbestos mining, manufacture, and use is imperative for public health.
- There is no scientific or medical justification for exempting chrysotile asbestos from a worldwide ban.
- Preventing asbestos-related diseases and fatalities requires immediate international cooperation and legislative action.
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