On December 31, 2010, Turkey will end decades of asbestos consumption by banning future use, a step which brings it into alignment with member states of the European Union. According to an announcement made on December 30 by Turkey's Environment Management Directorate General, the regulation – published in the Official Gazette on August 29, 2010 (with a deadline of December 31) – will end the use of “asbestos in production of any goods and supply of all products containing asbestos.”[1] The official statement said: “The ban on use of asbestos will both eliminate diseases stemming from the substance and end emission of asbestos to the environment.”

Data from the United States Geological Survey reveals an irregular pattern for Turkish asbestos consumption with peaks being reached of 31,853 tonnes (t), 54,583 t and 33,725 t in 1975, 1985 and 1997, respectively. Usage in recent years has fallen off dramatically with the last year of apparently substantial consumption being 2006 when the annual figure was 5,353 t. [2] The implementation of the Turkish asbestos ban makes Turkey the 54th country to ban asbestos. [3]

(By Laurie Kazan-Allen, International Ban Asbestos Secretariat, 30/12/2010)

[1] Asbestos ban to take effect on Friday. December 30, 2010.

[2] According to United States Geological Survey annual asbestos consumption data, between 1999 and 2009 a total of 111,123 t of asbestos was consumed in Turkey. Comparing total usage figures in Turkey with Canadian export data, it is clear that Turkey was an important market for Canadian chrysotile asbestos. From 1999-2003, Canadian chrysotile accounted for between 13-32% of Turkey's demand for chrysotile asbestos.

[3] National Asbestos Bans.