When was asbestos banned?
When was asbestos banned?
When was asbestos banned
Asbestos a mineral popularly used in the 19th century was considered to be an important factor in building establishments, houses and other hard infrastructures. But nowadays, this mineral is banned. So, this would make one wonder why and when was asbestos banned.
Applications of asbestos include hotplate wiring, building and electrical insulation. Often times it is combined with cement which produces fiber cement or it may be woven into fabrics or mats. However during the 1970’s-1980’s there were many movements against the use of asbestos due to the discovery that the mineral is hazardous to people’s health.
Different countries banned asbestos at different dates. This is the answer to the “when was asbestos banned?” question. Below are some of the measures taken by various countries regarding the worldwide asbestos ban.
When was asbestos banned around the world?
1.) When was asbestos banned in the USA?
It was during 1989 that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) issued the Asbestos Banned and Phase-Out Rule in the country. This regulation supported by the Court’s decision underwent four phases.
a.) The first phase involved the prohibition of the importing, manufacturing and distribution as well as the production of asbestos.
b.) The second phase had the first phase provisions, but it was added that there should be a removal of asbestos in certain asbestos-containing products.
c.) The third phase had the first and second phase provisions. However, it was added that the repair and maintenance of asbestos-containing products should be immediately put into action so as to reduce the high risk of the spread of asbestos in the air.
d.) The final phase involved the first to third provisions. What was added was that employees who are working closely with asbestos-containing products or materials should be given high importance and should ensure that they really clean up the fibers or their working areas so as not to spread the fibers in the air.
2.) When was asbestos banned in Australia?
Asbestos was banned in 1991, wherein all asbestos-containing materials were prohibited from use. However, some materials containing asbestos were still used in construction sites. By 2005 Queensland began the removal and disposal of asbestos. Also licensing was required by law to those who are handling asbestos-containing materials.
3.) When was asbestos banned in Canada?
In Canada, asbestos was banned in early 2000. The Canadian government, after having discovered that workers from their mining industry had developed various respiratory diseases and that there were more and more cases of mesothelioma in Quebec (being an area with high source of asbestos), the finally banned the said mineral.
4.) Global Asbestos Concern 2004
This congress was attended by over 40 countries, coming from various continents. Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Thailand, South Africa, Belgium and others were there and laid out there major concerns about how hazardous asbestos is to health. The aim of such movement was to solidify the stand of different countries worldwide towards banning asbestos.
Knowing why and when asbestos was banned is not enough. It is also highly recommended that people should look for safe alternatives to asbestos.
Also, this is an informative video on the effects of asbestos to the community . Check it out!
