Widely used in roofing tiles and water tanks, the production of asbestos in Brazil was halted in 2017 by a Supreme Court ruling. Studies conducted by the World Health Organization prove that the material is carcinogenic; however, counter to this evidence and the consensus in 65 other countries, four Brazilian senators are calling for the resumption of the mineral's production.
Senators Davi Alcolumbre (DEM), Vanderlan Cardoso (PP), Luis do Carmo (MDB), and Chico Rodrigues (DEM) visited the SAMA mining company in Goiás last week, and believe the Supreme Court's decision to ban the fibrous mineral from the market was a mistake. In a video published by TV Senado, the politicians state their intention to overturn the Supreme Court's ruling.
Last year, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allowed the reintroduction of asbestos into American industry through common household products and materials. Although the country has never entirely banned the substance, its use was restricted by legislation between 1972 and 1989. Despite this, an estimated 40,000 people in the US die each year from asbestos-related causes.
While there is no scientific proof that drinking water from an asbestos tank or sleeping in a house with an asbestos roof tile causes direct harm to consumers, the primary concern lies with industry workers, such as those in asbestos mining, construction, auto brake maintenance, waste management, and building material retail. According to WHO data, more than 107,000 workers in these fields die each year from diseases related to the material.
Source: Viva Bem, Brasil de Fato.
This article was written by Romullo Baratto. The translation is powered by AI.
