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ToxinFree
SENTINEL ARCHIVE / CASE #036

China

Incremental restrictions: amphiboles banned 2002–2003; all asbestos banned from construction June 1, 2011 (GB50574-2010 standard); chrysotile listed as hazardous with available substitutes (2012). Chrysotile still legal for industrial/friction products. China is world's second-largest asbestos consumer (imports 98% from Russia); major exporter of asbestos-containing materials.

2011De Facto Ban
2011
Year Banned
1.9
per million/yr
Mesothelioma Rate
Millions of residential,…
Buildings at Risk
1970–2010
Peak Usage Era

Regulatory Timeline

  1. 2000s

    1. 2002Legislation

      Ban on crocidolite (blue asbestos) imports and use

      ↗ Source
    2. 2003Legislation

      Ban on asbestos-containing automotive friction materials (brakes, clutches)

      ↗ Source
    3. 2008Regulation

      Asbestos banned from Beijing Olympics and 2010 Asian Games construction

      ↗ Source

  2. 2010s

    1. 2011Legislation

      Ban on all asbestos in siding and wall construction materials (GB50574-2010 standard, effective June 1)

      ↗ Source
    2. 2012Regulation

      Asbestos officially categorized as toxic hazardous material with available substitutes by Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)

      ↗ Source

  3. 2020s

    1. 2024Event

      Asbestos contamination detected in children's play sand exported to Australia/NZ and in lift brake pads from Chinese manufacturers; ongoing quality control gaps despite construction ban

      ↗ Source

Key Figures in Detail

Context and sources behind the numbers

2011Ban Year

All forms of asbestos have been banned since 2011. Buildings constructed before this date may still contain asbestos materials.

1.9Mesothelioma Rate

1.9 cases per million people per year. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure, with a latency period of 20–50 years.

A lower rate, though any mesothelioma cases indicate past asbestos exposure.

Source year: 2019

Buildings at Risk

Estimated scope of asbestos-containing materials still present in the built environment.

  • Millions of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings constructed 1950–2010 contain asbestos-cement roofing, insulation, and wall panels
  • particularly prevalent in Hebei, Shandong, Liaoning, Jilin, Gansu, and Xinjiang provinces
1970–2010Peak Usage Era

The period when asbestos was most heavily used in construction. Buildings from this era have the highest probability of containing asbestos materials.

Material Identification Guide

Common materials still present in buildings

asbestos-cement roofing sheets

HIGH RISKNon-friable

1930–2000

asbestos-cement flat sheets

HIGH RISKNon-friable

1930–2000

brake linings

HIGH RISKFriable

1920–2000

friction materials

HIGH RISKFriable

1920–2000

asbestos gaskets

HIGH RISKFriable

1920–1990

pipe insulation

HIGH RISKFriable

1920–1980

boiler insulation

HIGH RISKFriable

1920–1980

↗Learn more

What To Do If You Live Here

  • Your country has banned asbestos, but older buildings may still contain legacy materials.
  • Buildings built before the ban year may contain asbestos-containing materials.
  • Hire a certified asbestos surveyor before any renovation or demolition work.
  • Do not disturb older building materials without professional testing.

Check Your Property

Enter your building's age and type for a personalized asbestos risk assessment.

Check My Property's Risk

Sources

Last updated: 2026-04-04

Information aggregated from public sources including IBAS, EPA, and WHO. Not legal or medical advice.

How we source our data →