Number 9, March 2005 » Chrysotile better than PVA » Another product to be banned by France? » Cancer in the kitchen? » Up in the air (by Sophie Stone) » Read for you : Solving the asbestos imbroglio in the United States » The final proof Another product to be banned by France? Classified carcinogenic “Category 2“ by the European authorities, refractory ceramic fibres cause concern. Reserved for specific applications only, their use requires strict control measures. Resistant to over 1,200 degrees Celcius, you will have guessed, these refractory ceramic fibres are replacing chrysotile fibres. We have mentioned on many occasions that studies have demonstrated chrysotile fibres are much less biopersistent than refractory ceramic fibres: i.e. half-time life of more than 60 days for RCFs compared to approximately 11 days for chrysotile. In France today, refractory ceramic fibres are prohi-bited for use by general public and their use is strictly reserved for professionals. It is estimated that between 15 to 20,000 salaried personnel are potentially exposed to these fibres. Studies have demonstrated lung cancer risks in rats and tumours of the pleura in hamsters. According to Frédérique Prabonnaud and J.T., authors of an article entitled: Après l’amiante, des fibres cancérigènes, (Radio Television Luxembourg): “This is why the conditions of use are strictly regulated: ceramic fibres must be replaced as soon as possible by other products. And, when there is no replacement product available beyond 1,100 degrees Celcius, the regulation is strict: warning labels signaling the danger; the wear of respiratory protection or again, maximal quantity in the air. But the anti-asbestos organizations feel that the exposure threshold is too high and conditions of use are ill-respected. The ideal solution: replace refractory ceramic fibres by biosoluble mineral wools which are not as hazardous to health.“ Prabonnaud and J.T. mention in their article that, after two years, the French government has failed to react.