The State of Asbestos: A Persistent Global Health Threat

Understanding how industrial asbestos still poses significant health risks over a hundred years after its introduction to the modern world.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring fibrous mineral, is categorized into two primary families: amphiboles and serpentines. The amphibole family includes amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, actinolite, and tremolite, which have straight and needle-like fibers, while chrysotile is the sole serpentine type with its wavy fibers distinguishing it from the others.

Asbestos fibers are resistant to heat, chemicals, and wear, meaning they persist in the environment for a very long time. This made the mineral popular in industry, particularly during the U.S. Industrial Revolution of the 20th century, during which it was used heavily in construction, textiles, automotive parts, shipbuilding, and the military, as well as incorporated into many household goods.

Asbestos has no smell, taste, or immediate reaction – the fibers are microscopic, so it’s hard to know if you’re breathing or swallowing it.

However, because of their ability to withstand extreme conditions, when inhaled or ingested, asbestos fibers can become lodged permanently in internal tissues, leading to inflammation and cell damage over time which may result in disease development. The latency period from exposure to symptom onset, sometimes as long as 20-50 years, complicates diagnosis and tratamientos of asbestos-related illnesses and makes it difficult for patients to pinpoint exposure sources.

Despite the clear health risks associated with asbestos, it continued to be widely used years after its risks became known, and although many countries have since implemented bans or strict regulations on use, exposure continues due to the presence of the toxin in older buildings, materials, and industrial sites as well as in older household goods such as vintage children’s toys, cosmetics, and kitchenware, to name a few.

Asbestos in the supply chain

To make matters worse, global supply chains have enabled products made in countries with lax regulations to make their way into regions where bans and restrictions are in place. These imports have further contributed to the presence of asbestos even in countries that have taken measures to protect against exposure. The U.S. has also allowed some asbestos use to continue in recent years, though limited, such as in automotive parts and cement.

The challenges of managing asbestos in aging infrastructure and in imported products remain significant, as does its presence in talc-based items. This article will review asbestos’s historical use, the long-term health risks associated with exposure, and the ongoing obstacles in efforts to eliminate or reduce its impact worldwide.

The Well-documented Dangers of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure is a serious, ongoing public health concern, again, largely because of its widespread historical use and the highly durable nature of its fibers. All six types of the mineral have been linked to chronic health conditions, including deadly cancers such as lung and ovarian cancer as well as mesothelioma. Chrysolite alone accounts for about 90–95% of all asbestos use and exposure worldwide.

Asbestos has a long and sordid history, with its harmful effects well-documented for many centuries. 

Ancient civilizations noted respiratory ailments resulting from use, and medical research began documenting its dangers in industry in the late 19th century. By the 20th century, evidence had grown significantly, drawing attention to the link between asbestos and numerous chronic conditions. Despite this, use continued due to its enormous demand, and regulations and bans were only gradually introduced as companies relying on the mineral to market their products continued to cover up the truth.

Today, it’s well understood that exposure to asbestos is dangerous. However, in many ways, the damage has already been done. The previous popularity of asbestos in industry means that its fibers will continue to linger for a long time, and lacking global mandates, the risks of unregulated asbestos infiltrating countries with restrictions will continue.

Understanding why asbestos is so harmful takes garnering an understanding of just how prevalent it has been and how long it has been used by humans. Let’s take a closer look.

Historical and Present-day Uses

Early and Prehistoric Uses

Historically, asbestos was used for various purposes due to its fire-resistant properties. Artifacts containing asbestos have been found in Finnish pottery dating back 4,000 years, and Roman historians noted its use in wicks and lamps. Medieval Europe also saw limited use of asbestos, including in Charlemagne’s fireproof tablecloth, and in asbestos-woven garments. While appreciated for its properties, its toxic effects were also noted by the Roman Empire, where it was believed to shorten the lives of miners exposed to asbestos dust.

The Rise of Industrial Applications

The industrial age saw a rapid increase in asbestos mining and application. In Canada, significant deposits were discovered in the late 19th century, leading to large-scale mining operations. By the mid-20th century, asbestos was extracted at rates of nearly a million tons annually, primarily to meet demand in construction and manufacturing. South Africa also became a major producer, particularly of crocidolite and amosite, employing local workers to mine asbestos under hazardous conditions. Other nations, including Russia, the U.S., and Zimbabwe, soon followed suit, establishing a global asbestos trade that reached its peak in the 1970s.

20th-Century Asbestos Use and Global Trade

During the 20th century, asbestos was incorporated into thousands of products, again, sought after for its insulative properties and durability. Its widespread use in infrastructure, including in cement, tiles, and shingles and in other applications, as well as in everyday items like ironing boards, hairdryers, and even cigarette filters, led to high exposure rates among workers and the general population. Countries such as the U.S. and Canada continued allowing heavy use of the mineral until its dangers could no longer be ignored.

Early studies from the 1930s hinted at asbestos’ role in cáncer de pulmón, and by the 1940s and 1950s, evidence was robust enough for the National Cancer Institute to officially label asbestos a carcinogen. By the 1980, use became greatly restricted in the U.S. Canada eventually banned use altogether in 2016, and in September 2024, the U.S. finally halted chrysolite imports.

The Continuing Legacy of Asbestos

Despite present-day global awareness of its risks, asbestos production continues in countries like Russia, Kazakhstan, India, and China, where it remains economically significant due to its abundances and inexpensiveness. Asbestos-containing products also continue to be sold and used worldwide, particularly in developing countries with less rigid regulations.

Existing Asbestos Hazards in Infrastructure

While new construction mostly prohibits asbestos use, buildings and other infrastructure constructed before restrictions were put into place often still contain asbestos. As these structures age, fibers can become airborne, creating a health hazard for anyone who comes into contact with them.

Furthermore, in many ways, corners are still being cut when it comes to asbestos abatement during renovation and demolition projects due to the cost and complexity of this process. Testing for asbestos takes sophisticated equipment and its removal requires strict adherence to protocols designed to limit exposure risk. Hefty fines can be levied when these procedures aren’t followed exactly as stated. Thus, it is more common to leave asbestos intact to avoid missing deadlines and to keep remediation costs low.

Worse yet, some companies and individual contractors marketing themselves as licensed abatement professionals who can complete work for a fraction of the cost do so incorrectly, exposing everyone nearby as asbestos is uncovered and improperly removed. Project managers, never the wiser, have then told home or building owners that asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are no longer present when they actually are. Homeowners have also been known to attempt DIY removal with similar results. These inadequate efforts have contributed to the ongoing asbestos problem.

The Challenge of Environmental Contamination

Asbestos’ long use in industry has also led to many environmental concerns. In the U.S., for example, the town of Libby, Montana, was heavily contaminated due to vermiculite mining, which contained traces of asbestos. Now, decades later, the community still continues to deal with high rates of asbestos-induced diseases due largely to its presence in the area’s water, soil, and air as well as latent exposure.

Asbestos-contaminated talc, baby powder, cosmetics and cancer

Additionally, asbestos has been found in some talc-based products because the minerals often coexist in nature, leading to contamination during mining. Talc, also known as talcum, is a soft mineral used widely in cosmetics, personal care products, and industrial applications due to its absorbent and smooth qualities. When talc deposits are located near asbestos deposits, they tend to contain toxic fibers, posing significant health risks, particularly in powdery products that can be easily ingested during application.

Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized the potential for asbestos contamination in talc-based products, regulations surrounding asbestos testing and labeling in talc products are not yet fully standardized, leaving gaps in consumer protection. Some cosmetics companies have voluntarily tested for asbestos, but these efforts are not uniform across industries. The FDA has conducted periodic testing on talc-based products, finding asbestos in some samples, which has led to recalls and increased public concern. However, advocates continue to push for mandatory testing to ensure safety, as many believe the current oversight remains insufficient.

Policy Responses and Public Health Efforts

Many countries around the world have opted to implement partial or total bans on asbestos use. The European Union, for instance, enacted a comprehensive asbestos ban in 2005. However, as previously mentioned, regulatory measures in other countries have been less comprehensive, with continued allowances for asbestos in certain products. Efforts to restrict asbestos have also encountered ongoing resistance from industry groups and asbestos-producing countries, delaying broader protections.

On March 18, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule to outlaw ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos. Under the ban, all chrysotile imports were to be immediately discontinued. While the move was a significant one, long-standing corporate interests and an ongoing contentious political landscape led to a very late roll out. Lack of uniform talc-testing and a process for monitoring all imports for toxins also means that total elimination is likely a long way out.

The Importance of Global Collaboration

While eliminating asbestos entirely is next to impossible due to its widespread historical use and continued applications in countries with lax or nonexistent guidelines, collaborative global efforts to minimize its effects are essential to protecting public health moving forward. The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a worldwide ban, reinforcing the agency’s stance that no level of exposure to asbestos is safe. WHO has previously reported that more than 200,000 deaths are estimated to be caused by occupational exposure to asbestos, which accounts for more than 70% of all deaths from work-related cancers.

Modern regulation of the asbestos hazard

Adopting uniform regulations on use, continuing to roll out benign product alternatives, adequately enforcing strict abatement practices with post-project safety checks, and actively working to reduce contamination in high-risk areas can effectively phase out asbestos over time. More robust efforts to educate the public on the hazards of asbestos is also vital, particularly for workers in construction, demolition, and renovation, as well as their families, who are often most at risk.

While the historical damage of this once sought-after product cannot be easily undone, coming together and focusing on an asbestos-free future can shield future generations from the mistakes of the past.