Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Statement regarding the 2012 United States Geological Survey report about the dramatic increase in United States asbestos importation

1. “Asbestos Consumption in the USA”
LINDA REINSTEIN
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
President/CEO and Co-Founder
linda@adao.us
8.6.2012 Reinstein

2. U.S. Asbestos: Top Five Facts
1. The World Health Organization, International Labour Organization, Environmental
Protection Agency, and U.S. Surgeon General agree: asbestos is a human carcinogen
and there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.
2. Asbestos has not been banned in the United States and more than 10,000
Americans die every year from preventable asbestos-caused diseases.
3. There is a difference of 140 metric tons increase from 2010 to 2011.
4. Roofing products accounted for 41% of U.S. consumption; diaphragms for the
chloralkali industry, 28%; coating and compounds, 2%; plastics, less than 1%; and
other uses, 29%.
5. Construction workers are 11 times more likely to develop mesothelioma due to
asbestos exposure at the site.
8.6.2012 Reinstein

3. Asbestos is a Proven Human Carcinogen and
There is No Safe Level of Exposure.
8.6.2012 Reinstein

4. 8.6.2012 Reinstein

5. 2011
•“THE UNITED STATES IS DEPENDENT ON IMPORTS TO
MEET MANUFACTURING NEEDS.”
•Asbestos consumption in the United States was estimated
to be 1,180 metric tons.
•Roofing products were estimated to account for about 60%
•of U.S. consumption; the chloralkali industry about 35%;
and unknown applications, 5%.
8.6.2012 Reinstein

6. 2010
•“THE UNITED STATES IS DEPENDENT ON IMPORTS TO
MEET MANUFACTURING NEEDS.”
•Asbestos consumption in the United States was estimated
to be 1040 metric tons.
•Roofing products were estimated to account for about 72%
of U.S. consumption and other applications, 28%.”
8.6.2012 Reinstein

7. 2009
•“THE UNITED STATES IS DEPENDENT ON IMPORTS TO
MEET MANUFACTURING NEEDS.”
•Asbestos consumption in the United States was estimated
to be 715 metric tons, based on asbestos imports through
July 2009.
•Roofing products were estimated to account for about 65%
of U.S. consumption and other applications, 35%.”
8.6.2012 Reinstein

8. Top Five Producers
(Metric Tons)
Russia 1,000,000
China 400,000
Brazil 270,000
Kazakhstan 210,000
Canada 100,000
8.6.2012 Reinstein

9. How Small is Asbestos?
2-3 rice grains
20,000 Asbestos Fibers
5-6 human hairs
8.6.2012 Reinstein

10. “As many as 30 million homes and
businesses are insulated lethal asbestos-
tainted vermiculite.”
“Ten years ago, then-EPA investigator Kevin McDermott crawled
through an attic in Manchester, Wash., confirming the presence of
130 bags of asbestos-containing Zonolite insulation.”
8.6.2012 Reinstein

11. Environmental and Occupational Exposure
Continues
8.6.2012 Reinstein

12. Canadian Chrysotile
Asbestos pallets in Canada. Example of asbestos use in U.S. products and
the dangers of exposure to public health.
8.6.2012 Reinstein

13. Education. Advocacy. Community
8.6.2012 Reinstein
www.adao.us