Mainland faces explosive rise in asbestos-related lung disease

The mainland faces an explosive outbreak of asbestos-related lung diseases as it enters its fourth and biggest decade in the production and use of asbestos, which some call 'that other deadly white powder'.

The problem is exacerbated because the government has taken limited measures to restrict the production of asbestos and there appears to be a ban on discussion of the issue. On the face of it, that's because of government reluctance to restrict an industry that employs an estimated two million workers in mines, factories and ship-breaking facilities, many of which are in economically backward regions.

'People don't have information. They don't wear masks,' says a European expert, who declined to be named. 'Within ten years in China the health problem linked with asbestos and other chemical components will be very bad.'

'It's the price the nation will pay for being the world's top asbestos consumer and for failing until recently to address health risks associated with asbestos mining and manufacture,' said Jukka Takala, director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Takala said the annual death rate from mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases on the mainland could climb to 15,000 by 2035, but other experts put the figure at 40,000 already.

Actual figures are difficult to come by as data-collection is poor, turnover is high and there's a lag of between ten and 40 years between exposure to the deadly asbestos fibres and contracting the disease.

By the time some people finally fall ill, they're not aware of the cause.