1965Event
Kostanay Minerals JSC established at Zhitikara deposit in Kostanay region. Beginning of industrial-scale chrysotile asbestos mining in Kazakhstan
↗ SourceSENTINEL ARCHIVE / CASE #089
Kazakhstan
No ban on any form of asbestos. Kazakhstan is the world's second-largest chrysotile asbestos producer (~250,000 tonnes/year) and exporter (95–98% of output). Kostanay Minerals JSC operates the Zhitikara mine in the Kostanay region — the sole asbestos mine in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, with 37 million tonnes of reserves (4th largest globally). The government actively promotes chrysotile 'controlled use' and has led international efforts to block chrysotile listing in the Rotterdam Convention. Workplace dust limits exist (0.5 mg/m³) but are poorly enforced — 6 mg/m³ measured in 2014 (12x the limit). No restrictions on production, use, import, or export of any asbestos type.
—No Ban
—
No ban in place
0.3
per million/yr
Mesothelioma Rate
Approximately 50% of…
Buildings at Risk
1965–present
Peak Usage Era
Regulatory Timeline
1960s
2000s
- 2006Event
Kazakhstan joins coalition blocking chrysotile asbestos listing in the Rotterdam Convention at COP3
↗ Source - 2009Event
First International Asbestos Conference held in Astana. Astana Asbestos Resolution adopted unanimously, calling for transparency and chrysotile listing in Rotterdam Convention
↗ Source
2010s
- 2018Event
UN calls for Kazakhstan to ban asbestos. Kazakhstan does not comply. Industry organizes conferences promoting 'safe use' and claiming zero disease diagnoses among workers
↗ Source
2020s
- 2022Event
Kazakhstan delegation leads veto against chrysotile listing at Rotterdam Convention COP10. New export routes opened through Georgian ports after Russian ports blocked by sanctions
↗ Source - 2023Event
Rotterdam Convention COP11: Kazakhstan among 6 countries blocking chrysotile listing, overriding 159 parties who supported it. Annual production reaches ~260,000 tonnes
↗ Source - 2024Event
First asbestos-cement façade panel factory opens. Zhitikara residents mobilize demanding environmental disaster zone recognition due to elevated cancer rates; Ministry of Ecology orders inspections
↗ Source
Stories of Resistance
The people who fought for change.
GreenWomen / WECF Coalition
GLOBAL NETWORK2009–2011Kazakh-European environmental coalition that organized the first public debate on chrysotile health risks in Kazakhstan's history
Organized the 2009 Astana Asbestos Conference (75 participants) and secured unanimous adoption of the Astana Asbestos Resolution calling for transparency and chrysotile listing in the Rotterdam Convention
↗ SourceZhitikara Residents
ADVOCACY LEADER2024–presentCommunity of ~40,000 residents adjacent to Kazakhstan's sole asbestos mine who mobilized over elevated cancer rates
Pressured the Ministry of Ecology to order inspections of industrial facilities in Zhitikara; demanded recognition as environmental disaster zone
↗ Source—Ban Year
No national ban exists. Asbestos may still be used in new construction and is present in buildings of all ages.
0.3Mesothelioma Rate
0.3 cases per million people per year. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure, with a latency period of 20–50 years.
A lower rate, though any mesothelioma cases indicate past asbestos exposure.
Source year: 2016
Buildings at Risk
Estimated scope of asbestos-containing materials still present in the built environment.
Approximately 50% of Kazakhstani homes are roofed with asbestos-containing materials. Soviet-era buildings (1960s–1991) extensively used asbestos cement products. Environmental contamination documented near Zhitikara mine — autopsy study found dust particles in 44.6% of non-occupationally-exposed residents.
1965–presentPeak Usage Era
The period when asbestos was most heavily used in construction. Buildings from this era have the highest probability of containing asbestos materials.
Material Identification Guide
Common materials still present in buildings
asbestos-cement roofing sheets
HIGH RISKNon-friable
1930–2000
asbestos-cement flat sheets
HIGH RISKNon-friable
1930–2000
asbestos-cement water pipes
MODERATENon-friable
1930–1990
pipe insulation
HIGH RISKFriable
1920–1980
asbestos-cement façade panelsasbestos gaskets
↗Learn moreWhat To Do If You Live Here
- Asbestos is still legally used in your country.
- New and older construction alike may contain asbestos-containing materials.
- Consult a certified professional before any renovation work.
- Advocate for stronger asbestos regulations in your region.
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Last updated: 2026-04-05
Information aggregated from public sources including IBAS, EPA, and WHO. Not legal or medical advice.
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