According to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), asbestos hasn’t been completely
eradicated from domestic car building. In fact, far from it—all major Japanese auto manufacturers (save Honda)
continued to incorporate asbestos in manufacturing up until last month. According to JAMA, the toxic material was used
in the assembly of 1.64 million vehicles produced since 1996.
According to the organization, however, there is no risk of the carcinogen becoming airborn and being inhaled by humans, as the asbestos is kneaded into resin and/or sealed.
Interestingly, the study cites Suzuki as the leading employer of the material, having used it in the production of some 1.01 million vehicles. Other companies covered in the JAMA report include Toyota, Isuzu, Nissan, Hino, and Mitsubishi.
The report did not detail use of asbestos by manufacturers from other nations.
[Source: The Japan
Times]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
David @ Dec 28th 2005 12:18PM
No mention of Mazda. I assume this means they are less of a major auto manufacturer than Suzuki or Hino? Or perhaps they're on the eco-train too.
Lithous @ Dec 28th 2005 1:11PM
I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this. Laugh because the Japanese are the best, Baby, and can do no wrong. Or cry because it is so ridiculous that if GM did this over here you'd here outcries as if GM were baby killers or something: "They're so behind they're still using asbestos". "That's just like them".
I guess they aren't counting on someone doing any mods on their car and ripping parts out to install a stereo system (running wires to the bass in the back) or something like the kids do over here. Don't worry it's covered. I like the Japanese attitude. What you can't see won't hurt you.
klaatu @ Dec 28th 2005 1:32PM
OK not to defend the use of asbestos - but not every country is as advanced as ours in trying to reduce every single potential danger at every point in everything. Yet of course we're "free" to murder unborn children, eh? "DOH". So, if the cars were sold here legally (they were) and manufacturing using asbestos was legal in the nation of origin (it was), what's the issue? Plus, the Japanese have now stopped the use of asbestos. It wasn't SO long ago you could still get asbestos brake pads in this country, man.
I hope, Lithous, that once the Chinese begin selling cars here, you're as adamant about your point then. They have almost no pollution controls on anything in China, and, hey, the wind blows pollution beyond borders, eh?
Strom @ Dec 28th 2005 1:55PM
Asbestos is still used in many applications throughout the world, including new homes and commercial buildings in the United States. Many floor tiles and ceiling tiles have asbestos. The difference between now and 50 years ago is that the forms of asbestos being used now are not as easy to crush into particulate matter that can get into your lungs. Asbestos isn't necessarily as bad as you're all making it out to be.
zverg @ Dec 28th 2005 2:33PM
wait should I stop licking my Mazda Protege?
crap
Joseph Williamson @ Dec 28th 2005 2:59PM
Lone abstainer: Honda
Once again, Honda leads the way.
Tom @ Dec 30th 2005 12:14PM
#3...SHUT UP ABOUT YOUR ABORTION OPINIONS...THIS IS ABOUT CARS.