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This table provides detailed information on the quantities and values of unmanufactured asbestos fibers imported into the United States, categorized by fiber type and country of origin. Tracking these imports is crucial for understanding the supply dynamics of asbestos, a mineral historically used in various industrial applications such as insulation, fireproofing, and construction materials. Given the health risks associated with asbestos exposure, monitoring import trends also informs regulatory and public health policies, as well as economic assessments related to industries that still rely on or are affected by asbestos availability.
The data reveal that in 2022, the United States imported 224 metric tons of milled chrysotile asbestos fibers, grades 4 and 5, exclusively from Brazil, with a declared customs value of $589,000. Notably, there were no imports reported for spinning fibers or unspecified grades, and no imports were recorded for 2023 as of the latest data available through March 18, 2024. Additionally, although the U.S. Census Bureau reported some imports from China in 2022 and Poland in 2023, these were determined to be misclassified shipments due to existing asbestos bans and corroborating trade data. This suggests a significant decline or potential halt in asbestos fiber imports in early 2023, reflecting tightening regulatory controls or shifts in market demand.
| TABLE 5 | ||||
| U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF UNMANUFACTURED | ||||
| ASBESTOS FIBERS, BY TYPE AND ORIGIN1, 2 | ||||
| Brazil | ||||
| Quantity | Value3 | |||
| Type | (metric tons) | (thousands) | ||
| 2022: | ||||
| Chrysotile: | ||||
| Spinning fibers, grade 3 | -- | -- | ||
| Milled, grades 4 and 5 | 224 | 589 | ||
| Unspecified grade | -- | -- | ||
| Total | 224 | 589 | ||
| 2023: | ||||
| Chrysotile: | ||||
| Spinning fibers, grade 3 | -- | -- | ||
| Milled, grades 4 and 5 | -- | -- | ||
| Unspecified grade | -- | -- | ||
| Total | -- | -- | ||
-- Zero.
1Includes data available through March 18, 2024. Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2Modified from reported U.S. Census Bureau data. Additional imports were reported by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2022 [99 metric tons (t) from China] and 2023 (2 t from Poland), but existing asbestos bans and (or) information from commercial trade databases (Zen Innovations, Global Trade Tracker and Trade Mining) suggest that these shipments were misclassified.
3U.S. customs declared value.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, modified by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Asbestos statistics | Mineral commodity prices