Suncor Energy Inc T.SU

Is oil the new asbestos?

[Torontojay]

United States’ Asbestos Consumption Declines

Asbestos was used in the United States for a number of important industries, including transportation, shipbuilding, utilities and construction. Asbestos consumption in the United States peaked at 803,000 tons in 1973. However, usage and manufacturing began to decline in the mid-1970s with changing regulations and rising awareness of associated health issues.

The last asbestos mine in the United States. closed in 2002. Since then, all asbestos used in the United States is imported, largely from Russia and Brazil. Consumption followed a steady downward trend, with minor fluctuations between 2013 and 2018.

United States’ Asbestos Consumption Trends 2013-2019:

• 2013: 772 tons
• 2014: 406 tons
• 2015: 325 tons
• 2016: 747 tons
• 2017: 332 tons
• 2018: 750 tons
• 2019: 100 tons

https://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/usgs-2020-report-shows-global-asbestos-trends/

[marketsense]

My only objection to your argument is our civilization is much more dependent on autos than the uses of asbestos.  Asbestos for insulation and as fire retardent was  widely used but once its health effects were fully understood,  was more easily replaced than our ice vehicles will be.  My feeling is it will take many years before this transition to occur and I also suspect

[Torontojay]

Good answer, I agree.