The production and export figures for South African asbestos (1332214) from 1959 through 1993 were evaluated, based on published information. By 1993, exports of crocidolite (12001284) dropped to 5% of their peak in the late 1970s. Amosite (12172735) exports peaked in 1968 and ceased in 1993. The chrysotile (12001295) trade remained steady. Through 1963, most asbestos exports went to western Europe and the United States, with smaller amounts to Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, latin America, and Japan. This was followed by a shift of trade toward the Far East; by 1991, Japan imported 64%, South Korea imported 28%, and Thailand imported 5% of South African exports. Crocidolite was no longer imported by 12 countries by 1992. The future effects to be experienced in poor and developing countries to which asbestos has been exported remains to be seen. Along with the reduction of asbestos use in developed countries, the increasing use in developing countries, even though it is at lower overall tonnages, inevitably means that disease of long latency will continue to occur well into the twenty first century. The authors note that it is not likely that developing countries will be able to apply either adequate and appropriate protection or use the safety precautions which have been advocated as means of protecting the public and the workers. In spite of the earlier and numerous reports of the hazardous effects of crocidolite, the authors note that 59 countries continued to import it from South Africa in 1980 and 21 in 1992, so that the total ban that has been recommended is not likely to be achieved.

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