At the start of this month, new legislation came into effect in New Zealand effectively banning the importation of asbestos into the country. This is a major victory for the trade union movement in New Zealand who have campaigned hard to ban this hazardous substance. Unfortunately, globally, around 2 million tons of asbestos are produced annually, causing more than 100,000 deaths per year. As the experience of Australia shows, even once asbestos is banned, the toxic legacy of its use will continue to kill people for decades into the future.
At the start of this month, new legislation came into effect in New Zealand effectively banning the importation of asbestos into the country. This is a major victory for the trade union movement in New Zealand who have campaigned hard to ban this hazardous substance. Unfortunately, globally, around 2 million tons of asbestos are produced annually, causing more than 100,000 deaths per year. As the experience of Australia shows, even once asbestos is banned, the toxic legacy of its use will continue to kill people for decades into the future.
