What Countries Still Use Asbestos — And Why the Global Picture Is More Complicated Than You Think
Asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999, and for good reason — it kills around 5,000 people in Britain every year. But ask what countries still use asbestos and the answer reveals a stark global divide. Dozens of nations continue to mine, manufacture with, and export asbestos in huge quantities, while their workers and communities bear the health consequences.
This post covers the current global status of asbestos use, the countries where bans are in place, the serious health risks involved, and what the regulatory landscape looks like in the UK and beyond.
The Global Divide: Where Asbestos Is Still in Use
Despite overwhelming scientific evidence linking asbestos to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other fatal diseases, a significant number of countries have not banned it. Some are major producers; others are heavy consumers.
Russia
Russia is one of the world’s largest producers of chrysotile asbestos — the white variety — and continues to mine and export it on an industrial scale. Russian authorities have long argued that chrysotile, when used in controlled conditions, poses a manageable risk. The international scientific community strongly disputes this position.
China
China both mines and consumes asbestos in significant volumes. Asbestos fibres are used in building products, friction materials, and industrial applications. Given the scale of China’s construction industry, the number of workers exposed is enormous.
India
India permits asbestos use, particularly in roofing sheets and cement products. Millions of workers in the asbestos processing industry face daily occupational exposure, often without adequate protective equipment or regulatory oversight.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan extracts asbestos for both domestic use and international export. The industry has a significant impact on air quality in mining regions, and workers face serious risks to lung function over time.
Indonesia
Indonesia continues to use asbestos in construction and manufacturing. Regulatory frameworks around asbestos handling remain limited, meaning workers and local communities are exposed without adequate safeguards.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka permits asbestos use in building materials. The absence of strict national regulations increases the risk of conditions such as pleural plaques, mesothelioma, and asbestosis among those regularly handling these materials.
United States
The United States has not imposed a comprehensive asbestos ban, though regulations have tightened considerably in recent years. Certain asbestos-containing materials remain legal for specific uses, and the legacy of asbestos in older buildings continues to affect indoor air quality across the country. Regulatory agencies have proposed restrictions that could effectively prohibit remaining uses — if enacted, the US joining the list of countries with a full ban would be a significant milestone.
Canada
Canada banned asbestos domestically in 2018 but was historically a major exporter. The legacy of asbestos in older Canadian buildings remains an ongoing management challenge, even as the country no longer permits new asbestos products.
Countries That Have Banned Asbestos
More than 70 countries have now banned all forms of asbestos. These bans represent a clear public health commitment, even if enforcement and legacy management vary considerably between nations.
- United Kingdom — Banned all asbestos in 1999. Strict regulations govern surveying, management, and removal.
- European Union — An EU-wide ban has been in place since 2005, covering use, sale, and import across all member states.
- Australia — Banned asbestos in 2003, with government-backed removal programmes still active.
- Japan — Banned asbestos in 2006, with ongoing health monitoring for those previously exposed.
- South Africa — Banned mining and use in 2008, with legislation focused on safe removal.
- New Zealand — Banned all asbestos-containing materials in 2002.
- Belgium — One of the earliest bans in Europe, introduced in 1995.
- Singapore — Banned import and use in 2019, backed by strong enforcement.
- Brazil — Banned asbestos in 2017, having previously been both a producer and exporter.
These bans demonstrate that eliminating asbestos is achievable. The challenge now is managing the vast quantities of asbestos already embedded in the built environment — a challenge the UK knows very well.
The Health Risks: Why What Countries Still Use Asbestos Matters
The reason the question of what countries still use asbestos matters so much comes down to the devastating health consequences of exposure. Asbestos fibres, when inhaled, lodge permanently in lung tissue and the lining of the chest cavity. The diseases they cause are serious, often fatal, and can take decades to develop.
Diseases linked to asbestos exposure
- Mesothelioma — A cancer of the lining of the lungs or abdomen, almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. It is aggressive and currently has no cure.
- Lung cancer — Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, particularly in those who also smoke.
- Asbestosis — Chronic scarring of the lung tissue caused by prolonged asbestos inhalation, leading to breathing difficulties and reduced lung function.
- Pleural plaques and pleural thickening — Changes to the lining of the lungs that can restrict breathing and indicate past exposure.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — Asbestos exposure is a contributing factor to COPD in occupationally exposed workers.
The long latency period
One of the most insidious aspects of asbestos-related disease is the delay between exposure and symptoms. Conditions can take anywhere from 15 to 60 years to manifest. This means workers exposed today in countries where asbestos is still used may not develop symptoms until the 2040s or 2050s — long after the exposure has occurred.
In the UK, despite the ban introduced over two decades ago, deaths from asbestos-related diseases remain high because of historic exposure in industries such as shipbuilding, construction, and insulation. The global burden of asbestos disease is therefore not just a present problem — it is a debt being accumulated right now, payable in lives decades from today.
The UK Regulatory Framework: A Model for Others
The United Kingdom has one of the most developed asbestos management regimes in the world. Understanding this framework helps illustrate what robust regulation looks like — and why countries that still use asbestos are putting their populations at risk by comparison.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations
The Control of Asbestos Regulations set out clear legal duties for those who own, manage, or occupy non-domestic premises. Duty holders must identify asbestos-containing materials, assess their condition, and either manage them safely or arrange for their removal.
Failing to comply with these regulations is a criminal offence. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces the rules and can prosecute individuals and organisations that put workers or occupants at risk.
HSG264 and the survey requirement
HSG264 is the HSE’s guidance document for asbestos surveys. It defines two main survey types:
- Management survey — Required for the ongoing management of asbestos in occupied premises. It locates and assesses asbestos-containing materials that could be disturbed during normal occupation. An asbestos management survey is a legal requirement for most non-domestic buildings constructed before 2000.
- Refurbishment and demolition survey — Required before any refurbishment or demolition work. It is more intrusive and must locate all asbestos-containing materials in the affected area. If you are planning structural work, a demolition survey must be completed before works begin.
Any organisation commissioning building work — whether a school, office, or industrial unit — has a legal duty to ensure the appropriate survey has been carried out first.
Asbestos removal in the UK
Where asbestos is found in a condition that poses a risk, removal is often the safest long-term solution. Licensed asbestos removal must be carried out by contractors holding a licence from the HSE. This ensures the work is done safely, with appropriate containment, personal protective equipment, and waste disposal procedures.
Not all asbestos removal requires a licensed contractor — some lower-risk work can be carried out by trained operatives — but any work involving high-risk materials such as sprayed coatings, pipe lagging, or insulating board must be licensed.
Environmental Impact: The Hidden Cost of Ongoing Asbestos Use
Beyond the direct health risks to workers and building occupants, asbestos poses a serious environmental challenge. Waste management is one of the most difficult aspects of dealing with asbestos on a global scale.
Asbestos waste volumes
England alone sends an estimated 230,000 tonnes of asbestos waste to landfill sites each year. The UK has thousands of historic landfill sites, a significant number of which are located on flood plains. When these sites flood, asbestos fibres can be released into waterways, posing risks to drinking water and local ecosystems.
In countries where asbestos is still actively used in construction, this waste problem will only grow over time as those buildings eventually reach the end of their useful lives. The environmental legacy of today’s asbestos use in Russia, India, and China will be felt for generations.
Recycling and waste innovation
Several European facilities are pioneering asbestos recycling technologies. Processes using high-temperature treatment can transform asbestos fibres into inert materials that can then be incorporated into composite products. While these technologies are not yet widespread, they represent a more sustainable approach to managing asbestos waste than landfill disposal.
Innovations in scanning electron microscopy also allow more precise identification of asbestos in materials, supporting safer handling and more accurate waste classification.
Global Policy Trends: Progress and Setbacks
The global direction of travel is clearly towards eliminating asbestos, but progress is uneven and some significant setbacks have emerged.
Expanding bans
The number of countries with asbestos bans has grown steadily over the past three decades. International health bodies including the World Health Organisation continue to call for a global ban, citing clear evidence that no level of asbestos exposure is safe. Every country that bans asbestos reduces the global market for producers and adds political pressure on those that have not yet acted.
Poland’s elimination target
Poland has committed to eliminating all asbestos-containing materials from its territory by 2032. This is a significant undertaking given the volume of asbestos present in Polish buildings — estimates suggest over 100 million tonnes of asbestos-containing materials exist across the EU as a whole. Poland’s programme demonstrates that even countries with large legacy asbestos problems can set and pursue meaningful elimination targets.
UK enforcement funding
In the UK, HSE funding has been reduced substantially over recent years. This has implications for the frequency and rigour of asbestos safety inspections, particularly in sectors such as construction and demolition where exposure risks remain elevated. Reduced enforcement capacity means that duty holders need to be all the more diligent in managing their own compliance rather than relying on regulatory intervention.
What This Means for UK Property Owners and Managers
For those managing properties in the UK, the global picture reinforces why domestic regulations exist and why compliance is non-negotiable. Buildings constructed before 2000 may contain asbestos in a wide range of materials — from ceiling tiles and floor coverings to pipe insulation and roof sheets.
The key steps for any duty holder are:
- Commission a management survey from a qualified surveying company to identify what is present in your building.
- Ensure an asbestos register is maintained and kept up to date, recording the location, type, and condition of all identified materials.
- Put an asbestos management plan in place, setting out how identified materials will be monitored and managed.
- Ensure all contractors working on your premises are made aware of the asbestos register before any work begins.
- Commission a refurbishment or demolition survey before any structural, renovation, or demolition work takes place.
- Arrange licensed removal where materials are in poor condition or where planned works would disturb them.
If you manage property in London, our asbestos survey London service covers all property types across the capital. If you are based in the Midlands, our asbestos survey Birmingham team can help you understand what is present in your buildings and what your legal obligations are. For those in the North West, our asbestos survey Manchester service covers commercial, industrial, and residential properties across the region.
The global asbestos problem is a reminder of what happens when regulation fails. In the UK, the framework exists. The obligation is on duty holders to use it properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What countries still use asbestos in 2024?
Several countries continue to use asbestos, including Russia, China, India, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. The United States has not imposed a comprehensive ban, though regulations have tightened. Russia remains the world’s largest producer and exporter of chrysotile asbestos.
Is asbestos still legal in any form in the UK?
No. The UK banned all forms of asbestos in 1999. It is illegal to import, supply, or use asbestos-containing materials. However, asbestos installed before the ban remains in many buildings and must be managed in accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations.
Why haven’t all countries banned asbestos?
Economic factors play a significant role. Countries with large asbestos mining industries have a financial interest in maintaining production and export. In some nations, asbestos products such as cement sheets are seen as affordable building materials. Weak regulatory environments and limited awareness of health risks also contribute to continued use.
How dangerous is asbestos imported from countries where it is still used?
Importing asbestos or asbestos-containing materials into the UK is illegal. However, some products manufactured in countries where asbestos is still used — such as certain brake pads or construction materials — may contain asbestos fibres. This is why robust border controls and product testing matter. If you suspect a material in your building contains asbestos, commission a survey rather than disturbing it.
Do I need an asbestos survey if my building was built after 2000?
Buildings constructed after 1999 are very unlikely to contain asbestos-containing materials, as asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999. However, if there is any uncertainty about when a building was constructed or what materials were used, a survey is always the safest course of action. For buildings constructed before 2000, an asbestos management survey is a legal requirement for most non-domestic premises.
Speak to Supernova Asbestos Surveys
Supernova Asbestos Surveys has completed over 50,000 surveys nationwide. Whether you need a management survey, a refurbishment survey, or advice on your legal obligations as a duty holder, our team of qualified surveyors is ready to help.
Call us on 020 4586 0680 or visit asbestos-surveys.org.uk to find out more or book a survey.