The blue stuff is banned. So is the brown. But there will not be a global ban on white asbestos any time soon.
Moves towards a worldwide ban on white asbestos, which can cause cancer, were thwarted last week when Canada and Russia vetoed a recommendation that it be added to an internationally agreed list of toxic substances compiled under the UN Rotterdam convention. Governments have to be notified in advance of imports of chemicals on the list, and may then block them.
With blue and brown asbestos listed, white asbestos now accounts for 94 per cent of all asbestos…
