31 Dec 2037
Regulatory Change for Asbestos in United States
Final permitted use of asbestos in imported sheet gaskets is banned by year‑end 2037.
Asbestos trade
Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been mined for centuries, primarily from Canada, Russia, and China. Its unique properties make it resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals. Historically, asbestos was widely used in construction, shipbuilding, and automotive industries due to its insulation properties. It was found in various products such as ceiling tiles, roofing materials, floor tiles, and insulation. Asbestos was also used in the production of automotive brakes, gaskets, and clutch facings. Howev...
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been mined for centuries, primarily from Canada, Russia, and China. Its unique properties make it resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals.
Historically, asbestos was widely used in construction, shipbuilding, and automotive industries due to its insulation properties. It was found in various products such as ceiling tiles, roofing materials, floor tiles, and insulation. Asbestos was also used in the production of automotive brakes, gaskets, and clutch facings. However, its use has been significantly reduced or banned in many countries due to health hazards associated with asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is traded in its raw mineral form, requiring limited input materials for production: mining and milling equipment, as well as energy. Despite health concerns, it continues to be used in some developing economies where regulations may be less stringent.
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Relevant Events
31 Dec 2036
Regulatory Change for Asbestos in United States
EPA requires remaining chloralkali plants to stop using asbestos diaphragms by 2036.
31 Dec 2029
Regulatory Change for Asbestos in United States
EPA mandates chloralkali plants to transition from asbestos diaphragms to alternative materials by 2029.
1 Aug 2024
Regulatory Change for Asbestos in Brazil
State of Goias law sets a 5‑year deadline for suspension of asbestos mining and processing activities.
1 May 2024
Import Restriction for Asbestos in United States
United States fully banned imports of asbestos fibers, restricting the commodity’s entry into the country.
1 Feb 2023
Regulatory Change for Asbestos in Brazil
Supreme Federal Court upheld a 2017 ruling declaring extraction, sale, and use of asbestos unconstitutional.
31 Dec 2022
Regulatory Change for Asbestos in United States
The EPA is expected to propose and finalize actions to address chrysotile risks by the end of 2022, potentially limiting its disposal, distribution, or use.
1 Mar 2020
Processing Startup for Asbestos in Zimbabwe
Dewatering of the King Mine shafts was completed in March 2020, enabling further expansion of asbestos extraction operations.
1 Feb 2020
Processing Startup for Asbestos in Brazil
Ore processing at the Goiás-authorized site restarted in February 2020, marking the resumption of asbestos processing operations.
1 Jan 2020
Regulatory Change for Asbestos in United States
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued the final risk evaluation report for chrysotile in 2020, setting the stage for potential restrictions on its use.
1 Jul 2019
Regulatory Change for Asbestos in Brazil
The State of Goiás passed a law in July 2019 authorizing asbestos extraction for export purposes, creating a new regulatory framework for the commodity.
Jun 2019
Regulatory Change for Asbestos in United States
The EPA issued a new use rule effective June 24, 2019 requiring approval for asbestos use, potentially restricting its application in industrial products.
11 Feb 2019
Mine Closure for Asbestos in Brazil
The only asbestos producer in Brazil suspended mining activities on February 11, 2019, following a judicial injunction and pending court decisions.
1 Feb 2019
Mine Closure for Asbestos in Brazil
The only asbestos producer in Brazil, allowed to continue under a judicial injunction, ceased production in February 2019.
1 Jan 2019
Mine Restart for Asbestos in Zimbabwe
At the former King Mine in Mashava, Zimbabwe, asbestos production from old tailings commenced in 2019, reactivating a previously dormant mine.
2019
Mine Restart for Asbestos in Zimbabwe
A company at the former Mashaba Mine in Zimbabwe began dewatering shafts and procuring equipment to restart underground asbestos production from tailings.
Dec 2017
Other for Asbestos in Brazil
In December 2017, Eternit announced it would replace chrysotile with synthetic fibers and redirect all asbestos output to the international market in response to Brazil's ban.
Dec 2017
Regulatory Change for Asbestos in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka canceled the chrysotile import ban in December 2017, lifting restrictions on that asbestos type amid trade concerns.
1 Nov 2017
Regulatory Change for Asbestos in Brazil
Brazil enacted a comprehensive national ban on asbestos in November 2017, prohibiting new asbestos mining and production.
1 Nov 2017
Regulatory Change for Asbestos in Brazil
Brazil's Supreme Federal Court enacted a nationwide ban on asbestos extraction, commercialization, and use in November 2017, effectively shutting down domestic asbestos operations.
Nov 2017
Regulatory Change for Asbestos in Brazil
Brazil enacted a comprehensive national ban on asbestos, prohibiting domestic production and use.
Nov 2017
Regulatory Change for Asbestos in Brazil
Brazil's Supreme Federal Court enacted a national ban on asbestos in November 2017, prohibiting domestic production and use.
Sep 2017
Mine Restart for Asbestos in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe secured a $100 million loan in September 2017 to reopen the Mashava and Shabanie asbestos mines by year-end, reviving domestic production.
Jul 2017
Import Restriction for Asbestos in Oman
Oman implemented an import ban on asbestos-containing products in July 2017, restricting the country's ability to bring in asbestos materials.
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