Mesothelioma Alert : Asbestos Imports Rising

Mesothelioma Alert: Asbestos Imports Rising Imports of the toxic mineral asbestos are on the rise in the U.S. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is highly carcinogenic and has used in thousands of products. The amount of asbestos being imported into the U.S. from other counties increased in the past year from 1,040 metric tons to 1,100 metric tons. 1.100 1.040 2013 2014 Asbestos has not been mined in the US since 2002. (92%) of the asbestos used in the U.S. is imported from Canada. 92% There was a sharp decline in asbestos imports between 2008 and 2009 Imports rose in 2010 and 2011 There was a 34% rise in imports in the last 3 years alone The USGS attributes this to increased 'manufacturing needs' The EPA estimates that 3,000 commercial products contain some level of asbestos. 2004 2014 2,500 people die of Mesothelioma in the U.S. each year. And 107,000 Mesothelioma Deaths Worldwide Mesothelioma Death Rate by Gender, United States, 1999-2010 I Women I Men I Both Genders 30 25 -295 26 25:3 249 24 29.1 29.929.8 23 20 15 13.2 19.3 13 19.1 19.2 13.1 19.2 12.5 12112:4 12.512.3 10 5. 4:6 4.4 1999 2000 2001. 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Year Sources: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2012. Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) Issues Statement of 2012 U.S. Geological Survey Report", January 25, 2012, ADAO website. Environmental Protection Agency, Asbestos Fact Sheet, Accessed January 30, 2012. BERGMAN DRAPER LADENBURG HART MITA Num ber of Deaths per Million