ABSTRACT

In the last century, asbestos has been the most widely used intermediate in the industry since it is a low-cost, durable and easily processable mineral. Although industrial use of asbestos seems to be consistent with economic rationality as a result of these features, the negative externality it generates, based on the irreparable damage over human health in the medium and long term, is actually too large for the societies to underestimate. This study approaches the issue of asbestos use, which is prohibited or at least restricted by many countries around the world, fundamentally from two perspectives . Firstly, from the perspective of international economics, the fact that chrysotile asbestos has not been included in the dangerous chemicals classification in international trade suggests that the current regimes are inadequate and nonfunctional. On the other hand, when viewed from the perspective of occupational health, exposure of asbestos to human health results in delayed outbreaks; therefore, despite limitations and prohibitions, it seems that the issue will remain on the workers’ agenda for the coming years. In light of these implications, Turkey is particularly an object of research as it is a party to the Rotterdam Convention which regulates cross-border trade of dangerous chemicals; and also is a country where asbestos scattering may intensively occur due to shipbreaking and gentrification activities performed