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Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

Tech 2024-08-02 15:14:01 Source: Network
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Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?Asbestos, a seemingly ordinary mineral, plays an irreplaceable role in various fields such as construction, automotive, and electronics due to its unique fibrous structure. However, this "versatile material" also hides a deadly crisis asbestos fibers are considered carcinogenic, leading to global bans

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

Asbestos, a seemingly ordinary mineral, plays an irreplaceable role in various fields such as construction, automotive, and electronics due to its unique fibrous structure. However, this "versatile material" also hides a deadly crisis asbestos fibers are considered carcinogenic, leading to global bans.

Asbestos: The Banned "Steel Needle"

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

Asbestos fibers are as thin as hair but incredibly strong, heat-resistant, and corrosion-resistant, making them widely used in construction, automotive, electronics, defense, and other fields, becoming essential industrial materials. However, this "versatile material" also harbors deadly dangers.

As early as the 1980s, developed countries like the EU, the US, and Japan became aware of the deadly hazards of asbestos fibers and began to explicitly ban their use. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified asbestos as a Group 1 carcinogen in 1987, and the US Environmental Protection Agency included it as one of 129 priority pollutants. Studies have shown that asbestos fibers, once inhaled, can severely damage the respiratory and digestive systems, triggering diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

A "Gray Area" Under the Asbestos Ban

Although international consensus on asbestos's hazards has been reached, some countries continue to use it in specific fields due to its unique performance advantages. Notably, China is one of the world's largest producers and consumers of asbestos.

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

China boasts abundant asbestos resources, with explored reserves reaching 90.61 million tons, ranking third globally. In recent years, China has made significant strides in the asbestos industry but faces severe challenges.

The "Chinese Dilemma" of Asbestos

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

China's position as the world's largest producer and consumer of asbestos has sparked widespread controversy. Some believe that China should swiftly ban asbestos entirely to protect public health. Others argue that China needs to gradually implement an asbestos ban based on its specific circumstances, avoiding economic disruptions.

Evolution of China's Asbestos Policies

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

To balance the use of asbestos with health safety, the Chinese government has implemented a series of measures, gradually pushing for an asbestos ban.

In 2002, China prohibited the production and use of crocidolite asbestos, primarily focusing on chrysotile asbestos.

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

In 2007, China encouraged the development of new technologies and products for asbestos-free friction and sealing materials, limiting the production and use of asbestos friction materials.

In 2014, China issued the "Entry Conditions for Chrysotile Asbestos Industry," strengthening supervision of the chrysotile industry, strictly enforcing entry conditions and relevant industry standards.

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

Chrysotile: The "Escapee" of the Asbestos Industry

Despite the Chinese government's measures, chrysotile still exists in the market. While considered relatively safer compared to other types of asbestos, chrysotile still poses potential health risks.

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

Hazards of Chrysotile

Chrysotile fibers are shorter than other types of asbestos, making them easier for the human body to inhale. Although chrysotile poses a relatively lower risk of lung cancer, it can still trigger other respiratory diseases, such as asbestosis and pleurisy.

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

Applications of Chrysotile

Currently, chrysotile is primarily used in building materials, automotive brake materials, and friction materials. Due to its heat resistance, corrosion resistance, and insulation properties, chrysotile remains irreplaceable in some specific fields.

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

The Future of Chrysotile

With growing awareness of asbestos's hazards and continuous advancements in asbestos-free material technology, the application scope of chrysotile is steadily shrinking. In the future, chrysotile use will face stricter regulation, ultimately leading to a complete ban.

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

Exploration of Asbestos Substitutes

To mitigate the health risks associated with asbestos, scientists worldwide are actively exploring asbestos substitutes. Various alternatives have been developed, including rock wool, glass wool, sepiolite, and artificial mineral fibers.

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

Advantages of Asbestos Substitute Materials

Asbestos substitute materials not only possess similar properties to asbestos but also offer the following advantages:

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

  • Higher safety: Asbestos substitutes are free from carcinogens and pose no harm to human health.
  • Enhanced performance: Some asbestos substitutes even outperform asbestos in terms of fire resistance, insulation properties, etc.

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

  • Sustainability: The production process of asbestos substitutes is more environmentally friendly, promoting sustainable development.

Challenges of Asbestos Substitute Materials

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

Despite progress in asbestos substitutes, they still face certain challenges:

  • Higher cost: Compared to asbestos, the production cost of asbestos substitutes is higher.

Asbestos: How the Banned "Steel Needle" Took Root in China?

  • Performance differences: Some asbestos substitutes have performance gaps compared to asbestos, requiring further research and development.
  • Application promotion: Consumer awareness of asbestos substitutes is insufficient, requiring enhanced promotion and application.

Asbestos: A "Hurdles" We Must Overcome

The hazards of asbestos are undeniable, but its applications also hold real-life importance. Balancing health safety with economic development is a complex issue.

The Chinese government has implemented a series of measures, gradually pushing for an asbestos ban and actively exploring asbestos substitutes. In the future, China needs to continue strengthening asbestos industry management, strictly enforcing industry standards, encouraging the development of asbestos substitutes, and ultimately achieving a complete ban on asbestos to safeguard public health.

Conclusion

Asbestos is a double-edged sword, offering convenience to humanity but also posing potential threats. With growing awareness of its hazards and continuous advancements in asbestos-free material technology, we believe humanity will eventually find safe and reliable asbestos substitutes, ultimately bidding farewell to the "Asbestos Era."

References

  • High Attention to Asbestos Pollution, Gradual Promotion of Asbestos Ban Policy, Environmental and Sustainable Development Strategies, China Knowledge Network
  • Deadly Asbestos Fibers, Special Attention, China Knowledge Network
  • Introduction to Asbestos Uses Mine Road Network

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