And we mandate by law in more developed nations that workers exposed to dust of whatever kind use PPE. Your point is a bit of a red herring when applied to asbestos really, because there is still plenty of atmospheric asbestos from historical sources blowing around (Wittenoom) and indeed being newly produced (Asbest, Russia). Don't get me wrong though, I completely agree that it's desirable to limit it if economically viable but I'm not about to start worrying my little head about it when tomorrow there will be another civilisation-threatening environmental/health/economic/social problem to worry about, and the day after, and the day after that, apparently ad infinitum. I'm sick of the negativity. The modern world isn't perfect but is preferable to the alternative. We need to start thinking of solutions.
I, for one, support following that precedent by passing strict laws limiting plastic.