Asbestos Use Around the World
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been widely used as an insulation and fireproofing material for many years. It has since been linked to a number of serious health issues, including cancer and respiratory illnesses. Despite this, its use is still widespread in many countries around the world.
United States - Asbestos is banned in the United States, with the ban going into effect in 1989. However, it is still used in some applications, such as in brakes and clutch pads in automobiles, and in some construction materials.
Canada - Asbestos is still widely used in Canada, especially in the construction industry. It is estimated that there are over 3,000 products that contain asbestos in Canada.
Europe - Asbestos is banned in the European Union, but some countries, such as the United Kingdom, still allow for its limited use in some industrial applications.
Australia - Asbestos use is banned in Australia, with a complete ban taking effect in 2003.
Asia - Asbestos is still widely used in Asian countries, such as India and China. In India, asbestos is still used in construction, while in China it is used in a variety of industrial applications.
Africa - Asbestos use is still widespread in many African countries, such as South Africa and Nigeria. It is often used in the construction industry, and in some industrial applications.