That would bring New Zealand's asbestos death toll to about 5100, excluding deaths from asbestosis, which were difficult to determine, a WorkSafe spokesman said. The death toll from asbestos-related disease in New Zealand will continue to climb for decades to come, despite a ban on imports of building materials containing the toxic mineral. The move was designed to further reduce the "appalling'' death toll caused by asbestos, used in building products for more half a century. However, in the first of a special three-part investigation, published today, ODT Insight can reveal the human toll from asbestos is expected to continue climbing. Researchers in 2000 predicted 12,000 people could die from asbestos-related illness in New Zealand and the death toll was expected to peak by 2015.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 17, 2016 20:48 UTC