A-BAN Meeting 2013 Samuel Li Shing Hong China Report A-BAN Meeting 2013 Samuel Li Shing Hong Introduction

Outline Consumption and production of Asbestos in China ODs in China Our works in China

China as a global player World production of asbestos was estimated to be 1.97Mt in 2012, a slight decline from 2.02Mt in 2011 Russia was the leading producer of asbestos followed by China, Brazil and Kazakhstan. These four countries accounted for 99% of the world asbestos production

Global asbestos production by country 2010-2012 (metric tons) Source: U. S. Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook 2012 China ranks second after Russia

Estimated Asbestos consumption by country 2008-2011 (metric tons)

Asbestos in China The largest asbestos consumer and 2nd producer in the world continues to mine and use chrysotile asbestos With rapid industrialization and urbanization, the demand for asbestos has increased over time, with total production increasing from 310,000 tons in 2001 to 420,000 tons in 2012 Over a million people may be occupationally exposed, yet reliable disease statistics are unavailable and the national burden of asbestos-related disease (ARD) is not well known. Nevertheless, ARD prevalence, incidence, and mortality are expected to be high and will increase for many decades due to the volume of asbestos consumed historically and a long latency period.

Asbestos in China China’s asbestos resources are estimated at 62–90 million tonnes, of which accessible reserves are estimated at 32–42 million tonnes Asbestos is found across China and two-thirds of the reserves are located in the northwestern provinces of Qinghai, Xinjiang, Gansu, and Sichuan, with the first three accounting for over half. The mountainous terrain, isolation, and severe climate of these northwestern provinces make access a challenge but readily-accessible reserves in the east have mostly been mined Chrysotile accounts for 99% of reserves and is the only form of asbestos currently being mined

Chrysotile In the early 2000s, China as the world’s second largest producer of chrysotile and may eventually replace Russia as top global producer. By 2010, Asia’s share of worldwide chrysotile consumption had risen to 60% with India and China making up 85% of Asian consumption, or 51% of worldwide consumption. China and India are currently two of the fastest growing economies worldwide. Not coincidentally, they are also the two greatest consumers of chrysotile.

Comparison of Asian chrysotile consumption in 1970 and 2010 (data sources: US Geological Survey)

Imports of Chrysotile Domestically mined chrysotile could not keep up with the significant increase in demand of the early 1990s and chrysotile imports have increased steadily since then. China is currently the top consumer of chrysotile in the world In 2010, 230 997 t were imported, with Russia supplying more than 80% and the remainder coming from Kazakhstan, Brazil, Canada, and Zimbabwe China’s chrysotile exports consist of a small surplus of shorter and less valuable fibers to Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, North Korea, and Myanmar.

Asbestos products Although there are approximately 3000 different types of asbestos products, asbestos cement accounts for most of China’s chrysotile consumption at 70–80%, followed by asbestos friction products, sealing/ gasket products, heat-insulating products, and textiles or others In 2005, asbestos-cement corrugated sheets and flat sheets accounted for 92% of all fiber cement roof and wall material sales. Asbestos product exports consist mainly of cement, averaging 70, 000 t, or USD 12.5 million during 2000 and 2010.

Employer lobbying China Non-metallic Minerals Industry Association Strong lobbying claimed that asbestos is safe to use

Workforce and Occupational Exposure The total number employed in asbestos-related industries is estimated to be over a million. There are an estimated 598 mining and milling enterprises employing 64 600 and 169 asbestos product enterprises employing 166 000, which equates to 230, 600 workers directly mining or processing asbestos.

Informal sector Those employed in smaller mining, milling, or processing enterprises, such as home-based manual spinning, many of whom belong to the vast informal sector and others employed in asbestos associated industries, such as construction, shipbuilding, automotive repair, plumbing, and other repair works. Work conditions are poor and level of workers exposure to asbestos is very high

Pneumoconiosis in China From Ministry of Health In 2012, the accumulated no. patients of pneumoconiosis is over 700,000. 150,000 died. Higher in Reality!

Pneumoconiosis in China

Asbestos related 2009 2010 2011 2012 Mesothelioma and lung cancer caused by Asbestos 11 10 8 19

Academic research Two longitudinal researches in China Research A: 577 male asbestos workers 37 years in asbestos product manufactory 96 died of all cancers, 52 Lung cancer and 81 nonmalignant respiratory diseases risks for lung cancer respiratory disease deaths in asbestos workers were over 3-fold that in the controls

Academic research Research B: 1539 male workers who worked in 26 years largest chrysotile asbestos mine Asbestos exposure: 4.6-fold mortality risk for lung cancer and over 3-fold risk for all cancers and respiratory diseases Number reported to the government is seriously undermined Real situation is not disclosed

What exposed What happening

Who suffer? Tough Battle of OLD workers Zhang Haichao, a worker from Henan Worked for a polishing material factory 3 years as handyman, crushing worker and compression machine controller. Several hospitals diagnosis that he got pneumoconiosis; however, this employer refused to provide relevant documents. After complain, he was able to go for diagnosis by Center for Occupational Disease Prevention and treatment. The result said he got tuberculosis. To expose the lie, he went to ‘open chest’, taking out tissue from lungs

Our work in China on Asbestos Partner with an organization in Beijing Survey Over 51% of the respondents mentioned they heard the name ‘asbestos’ heard about asbestos from friends or co- workers 100% of them had never seen a product which was certified containing asbestos Education Worker group Core worker development

Thank you!