Asbestos News

Approximately 23,000 cars manufactured in China were recently recalled in Australia following a government probe that located asbestos in multiple areas of the vehicles, The Wall Street Journal reports.

According to the news source, the asbestos was discovered in the engine and exhaust gaskets in some cars manufactured by Great Wall Motor Company and Chery Automobile Company. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said earlier this week that importer Ateco Automotive Pty Ltd. issued the recall because asbestos is prohibited by Australian law.

Ateco noted that it would make sure all new cars will be free of asbestos, though the asbestos in this specific case did not pose a health risk to drivers or passengers.

The Journal reports that both Great Wall and Chery Automobile said they have ceased the use of asbestos in their cars following the incident in Australia, with spokesmen for both companies noting that the asbestos use was legal in China.

The recall represents the latest push to eliminate the use of asbestos in the manufacturing of products, as it has been proven that exposure to the carcinogenic material can cause lung cancer, asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer.