Context

Recently, the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a comprehensive ban on all forms of the deadly carcinogen asbestos. 

US Bans White Asbestos

• Chrysotile asbestos, also known as white asbestos, was the last remaining type still legally used in the US.

About Asbestos

• A Generic Term: It denotes a group of six silicate minerals with similar but distinct properties. 
• Named on Colour: They are commonly known by their colours, as blue asbestos, brown asbestos, white asbestos and green asbestos.
• Classification: Asbestos minerals are subdivided into two classes:
  • The Serpentine Group: Its crystal morphology is snake-like, with a tendency to form bundles. It is softer and more flexible than the other types of fiber. 
    • It consists solely of chrysotile, popularly known as ‘white asbestos’. 
  • The Amphibole Group: It consists of five chemically and morphologically diverse fibers primarily represented by crocidolite and amosite asbestos. 

• • • Crocidolite, sometimes called ‘blue asbestos’, occurs as needle-like fibers that are high in iron content and are more durable than chrysolite in human lungs.
• Source Countries: Asbestos mainly comes from Russia, Kazakhstan and China.
• Characteristics: Sound absorption, average tensile strength, affordability and excellent electrical insulator and is highly fire and heat resistant. 
• Uses and Applications:
• • Manufacturers and builders use asbestos for its desirable physical properties. 
  • Asbestos has been used on ships as both a fire retardant and an insulator to protect sailors from the constant and jarring vibrations of ships’ engines.
  • It is used in insulation and fireproofing materials, automotive brakes, and wallboard materials.
• Concerns: It is known to be a highly toxic material and a carcinogen.
  • According to the World Health Organization, all varieties of asbestos are associated with conditions such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, laryngeal cancer, ovarian cancer and asbestosis, a lung fibrosis.
  • Repeated exposure can cause inflammation and damage the DNA.

Asbestos Use in India

• High Usage: Despite India enacting a ban on asbestos mining enacted in 1993, there is no law in place to restrict its use in construction, import or trade. 
  • Moreover, India is one of the largest consumers and users of asbestos globally, and accounted for 44% of global imports in 2021.
• It is used in housing and construction, especially in roofing. 
• It is also used in piping, vehicles, brake parts, etc.

About Chrysotile White Asbestos

• A Carcinogen: Chrysotile Asbestos is a carcinogen (a substance capable of causing cancer) and has severe impacts on public health. 
• A Common Type: It is the most common type of asbestos, making up 99% of the world’s current asbestos production.
  • It is also the only serpentine form of asbestos, made up of long, curly fibers that weave to make sheets.
  • Chrysotile has a low iron content (∼1.5%) and limited durability in the lung.
• Use: It was primarily used by the chlor-alkali industry, which produces chlorine bleach, caustic soda and other chemicals used in water treatment. 
  • These products are vital for public health, raising concerns about potential disruptions.