For many years, South Africa had been among the world leaders in the use and mining of dangerous asbestos. While asbestos was banned in the United States in the late 1970’s, such legislation was never even approached in S. Africa because of complications with the country’s mining establishment and its close ties to the former Apartheid government, displaced in 1994. As S. Africa slowly moves closer to economic equality, more focus has been placed upon developing an environmental awareness. This is something that appeared impossible 15 years ago in a country that was one of the world's most notorious polluters.
Today, the sub-Saharan African nation, the continent’s wealthiest, is taking the first steps towards comprehensive asbestos regulations. In newly published documents by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, specific regulations have been introduced upon the use, manufacturing, import, and export of asbestos and asbestos containing materials, according to the department’s minister, Marthinus van Schalwyk.
At the Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center, we recognize the importance of not only building a national awareness of asbestos danger but also developing a truly global conscience of the risk of life-threatening asbestos exposure. To that end, we hereby commend the South African ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism for laying the groundwork for more comprehensive asbestos regulations and continue to urge other foreign governments to follow in their footsteps.
While the new regulations fall short of calling for an eradication of all asbestos containing products, such as existing concrete shingles or ceilings, the ministry has indicated that these should eventually be phased out. A grace period of 120 days would allow for those who are currently using or dealing with asbestos to rid themselves of their inventory.
Asbestos use was equally high in the United States prior to a federal ban on the use of asbestos containing materials for commercial use because there became clear a conclusive link between asbestos exposure and the development of respiratory complications, including the cancer mesothelioma.
The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center has long been recognized as the web’s leading resource information on asbestos, asbestos related disease, and mesothelioma treatment. Hundreds of pages of up to date content feature important information pertaining to asbestos exposure, top physicians, and clinical trials, as well as breakthroughs in the treatment of asbestos related disease.
