Korea to Ban Asbestos Use in September
After the widespread panic that ensued following the asbestos contamination of talc that was used in baby powder, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals earlier this year, it is not surprising that the Korean government has announced that they will enforce a ban on asbestos in all manufactured products beginning in September. The new policy regarding asbestos is thought to have originated, in part, from the asbestos scare the country faced this past April.
Asbestos has thousands of applications, due to the natural resistance is possesses against both fire and chemical damage. Common asbestos applications include brake pads, insulation, and fireproofing. However, asbestos is very dangerous. The toxic fibers, if inhaled, can cause serious respiratory health issues. Once inhaled, asbestos fibers are permanently lodged in the body and are impossible to remove. In some cases, asbestos exposure can cause diseases like lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is known to aggressively attack the body, and can sometimes kill within months of being diagnosed.
According to standards released earlier this week by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards under the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, manufacturers not be allowed to use asbestos in any manufactured products. Of special note were items commonly used by children, such as balloons, chalk, and brake pads for bicycles. Officials are concerned that in these products, particles of asbestos could easily be rubbed loose, and then touch the skin or be inhaled. The asbestos content for other manufactured products will be restricted to less than 0.1 percent.