Salient Asbestos Statistics

This table presents key data on asbestos trade and consumption, highlighting quantities and values of unmanufactured asbestos and asbestos products exported, imported, and consumed by the United States, as well as global production and consumption figures. This information is economically and industrially significant because asbestos, despite its declining use due to health concerns, remains relevant in certain specialized applications and international markets. Tracking these statistics helps monitor the shifting dynamics of asbestos demand, trade flows, and regulatory impacts, providing insight into both domestic and global mineral commodity trends.

Analysis of the data reveals that U.S. exports of unmanufactured asbestos have fluctuated considerably, with a notable peak of 461 metric tons in 2021 before declining sharply to 38 metric tons in 2023. Correspondingly, the export value of unmanufactured asbestos dropped from $99,000 in 2022 to $41,000 in 2023. The value of asbestos products exported remained relatively stable around $12.6 million in 2023, despite minimal domestic manufacturing, suggesting these may largely be reexports or non-asbestos substitutes. Imports of unmanufactured asbestos showed irregular patterns, with quantities reported as 172 metric tons in 2019, rising to 305 metric tons in 2020, then dropping to 41 metric tons in 2021, and 224 metric tons in 2022; no data were reported for 2023. U.S. asbestos consumption declined steadily from 450 metric tons in 2019 and 2020 to 150 metric tons in 2023, reflecting reduced domestic use. Globally, asbestos consumption and production have remained substantial but variable, with consumption estimated at 1.32 million metric tons and production at 1.24 million metric tons in 2023, indicating ongoing international demand despite regulatory restrictions in many countries.