Asbestos found in new buildings in Central Asia and Eastern Europe despite a call for an international ban
Central Asia and Eastern Europe
Asbestos is being used in new buildings despite outcries for an international ban on the dangerous construction material.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) have estimated that about one third of the 850 million people in the Central Asian and Eastern European Region live in countries that have not yet banned the use of all forms of Asbestos mineral, and this potentially exposes them at work and in the environment. In countries where asbestos is banned, exposure persists from past use, however in countries where no prohibition or ban is in effect people can be additionally affected by new construction projects or maintenance and refurbishment.
Once a popular building material, asbestos is banned in more than 60 countries worldwide. When disturbed it releases small airborne fibres that penetrate deep into the lungs. Breathing them in can lead to an acute reaction with pneumonia-like symptoms. Chronic exposure can lead to lung scarring, pleural disease, Asbestosis, mesothelioma and even Asbestos related lung cancer.
It is estimated that 15,000 Asians and Europeans lose their lives as a result of Asbestos related disease every single year.
Companies specialising in its safe removal say their core business is getting rid of asbestos from old buildings, but they also extract it from new projects where there is a requirement due to corporate HSE policies or international financing requirements.
At the time of writing it is understood that Asbestos is still being used in the following Eastern European/Asian countries;
Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Prohibitions are now in place in most European Union nations as well as Romania and Serbia.
The best way to reduce the dangers of the risk associated with Asbestos in the construction industry is to ban the use of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs), substitute out ACMs, and continuously manage the legacy risk from each of the activities that are associated with Asbestos inhalation and exposure.
From an ethical and legislative point of view, companies must know and understand that prevention to exposure is of the utmost importance and where this is not possible employers must assess the work and provide their employees with the appropriate safe systems of works, standard operating procedures and as a last resort Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Legislative requirements (where the exist) must be met and exceeded, and Asbestos management practices should be in line with international standards.
The first step towards better Asbestos management in countries still using this deadly material is to raise awareness, followed by prohibition, and then implementation of the Asbestos management legislation and guidelines that are now in place in countries that adopt and follow international best practice.
If you have any Asbestos related concerns, contact us to see how Anthesis Consulting Middle East can help you:
Charles Faulkner (Head of Environment, Health and Safety and Asbestos Team Leader)
Phone: +971 (0) 50 5541 320
Email: asbestos@anthesisgroup.com