ACPMA

Introduction

Throughout the whole world, very few natural or synthetic substances have initiated as much debate as the use of chrysotile. Very few products containing natural or man-made fibres, have been studied as closely as the naturally occurring asbestos fibres.

The evolution of knowledge obtained from the thousands of published studies and reports is impressive, especially in the last two decades when advanced technology made it possible to understand how breathable fibres can affect the human body, in particular, which fibres and at what dose.

For many years now, we have witnessed a commercial war claiming to rely on scientific or technical facts. Most of the time, the crusade against chrysotile relies on media tactics that unfortunately support other interests than health.

Too often, regardless of the scientific or technical data which supports the safe use of chrysotile, detractors and activists simply play with people’s emotions.

Since the chrysotile debate centers on the health and safety of the general population, as well as the workers, it is then not unusual to hear about drastic asbestos ban proposals.

This brochure is about facts as opposed to perceptions. While it cannot be as exhaustive as the thousands of scientific papers that have been written on this subject, it does attempt to give readers a comprehensive overview of today’s chrysotile.