Chrysotile Asbestos Ongoing Use and Controversy
topic
Chrysotile asbestos continues to be mined in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Brazil with annual production exceeding 1 million tonnes consumed primarily in developing countries for fibre cement building products, with industry-funded researchers advocating a controlled use approach based on disputed chrysotile-specific low potency models while the scientific consensus supported by WHO and ILO recommends complete elimination as the only safe asbestos management approach.
Role
Represents an ongoing global public health controversy where the scientific consensus on chrysotile carcinogenicity conflicts with the economic interests of producing countries and consuming industries, with the Rotterdam Convention Prior Informed Consent listing of chrysotile, WHO recommendations, and developing country capacity building representing the international public health response to preventing a further wave of asbestos disease from continued chrysotile use.