Impending proliferation of asbestos

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Occupational Health
• Materials Science

Background:

• The global asbestos industry faces increasing regulatory scrutiny regarding workplace dust exposure and pollution.
• Major asbestos firms in the US contend with significant compensation liabilities for historical worker protection failures.
• Despite challenges, the asbestos industry is expanding in developing countries, driven by asbestos-cement construction material sales.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the adverse impacts of asbestos-cement materials in public infrastructure.
• To investigate the health and economic consequences of asbestos-cement use in schools and housing.
• To highlight the global public health threat posed by the expanding asbestos industry.

Main Methods:

• Case study analysis of asbestos-cement building failures in Puerto Rico.
• Examination of manufacturer liability and regulatory responses.
• Review of existing and emerging asbestos-free alternatives.

Main Results:

• Asbestos-cement use in Puerto Rican schools and housing resulted in building condemnations.
• Over 1,000 families were relocated due to unsafe conditions at public expense.
• The manufacturer, an affiliate of Eternit, avoided legal liability for the failures.

Conclusions:

• The use of asbestos-cement materials presents a needless and growing global public health risk.
• Economical and safe alternatives to asbestos in construction and friction products are available.
• International regulatory bodies and public health organizations must address the expanding threat of asbestos.