Chemical name: Asbestos, tremolite

Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Industrial

Final regulatory action: The chemical is Severely Restricted

Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action:

All uses except for mentioned below.

Use or uses that remain allowed:

Tremolite is allowed to be used in the following applications namely: in ready-to-use asbestos-cement pipies and manufacturing such pipes for wastewater uses, thermal insulation and friction products: brake linings and clutch pads exposed to friction and temperature.

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: No

Summary of the final regulatory action:

The chemical and all its preparations are severely restricted to some uses in Jordan.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

The epidemiological studies in Environmental Health Criteria (EHC) monographs, mainly on occupational groups, have established that all types of asbestos fibres are associated with diffuse pulmonary fibrosis (asbestosis), bronchial carcinoma and primary malignant tumours of the pleura and peritoneum (mesothelioma). Gastrointestinal and laryngeal cancer is possible, but the causal relationship with asbestos exposure has not yet been firmly established; there is no substantial supporting evidence for cancer at other sites. Asbestos exposure may cause visceral and parietal pleural changes.

Environmental exposure either in the houses of asbestos workers or in the neighborhood of asbestos mines or factories has been noted in some of the cases. It has been estimated that a third of the mesotheliomas occurring in the USA may be due to non-occupational exposure. In a study from Israel, the incidence of mesothelioma ws found to be higher among those born in the USA or in Europe relative to those born in Israel.

In contrast, little convincing evidence has been found of the carcinogenicity of ingested asbestos in epidemiological studies of populations supplied with drinking water containing high concentrations of asbestos. Moreover, the ability of asbestos fibres ingested in drinking water to migrate through the walls of the gastrointestinal tract in sufficient numbers to cause adverse local or systemic effects is the subject of considerable disagreement.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health:

The final regulatory action would be expected to lead to a reduction of risk for human health.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 04/05/1993