Hidden Danger! Underground Asbestos.
Asbestos cement pipes have been used throughout the Middle East and Africa for over the past 60 years. Utilised for the supply of potable water, sewerage pipes, storm water drains, and irrigation purposes, Asbestos pipes can be found underground by the thousands of kilometers. Their sizes range from the internal diameter of a soft drink can, to those big enough for people to sleep in and take refuge from the sun (as was witnessed once on a major infrastructure project in the UAE).
Asbestos cement pipes can be found in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as in the Northern Emirates of Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras al Khaimah. They have also been used in Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. Further afield, on the continent of Africa, it has been well documented that Asbestos cement pipes have been used in Egypt (where studies on the drinking water in Alexandria from Asbestos pipes have been conducted), Algeria, Libya (where an Asbestos cement pipe factory was based in Jenzur, Tripoli), Morocco, Tunisia and Sudan.
Asbestos cement pipes provide clean water for domestic use, irrigation to the grass, trees and other vegetation and stop the roads from flooding when downpours occur.
However, they also pose a hidden danger.
Asbestos cement pipes can degrade, and by a process known as exfoliation the Asbestos fibres can be freed from the bonded cement and end up in the water supply. Thankfully, according the World Health Organisation (WHO) (see “Asbestos in Drinking Water” 2003), little convincing proof exists linking the ingestion of Asbestos fibres (even in high concentrations) with carcinogenic health effects. The main concern with Asbestos fibres is from breathing them in.
Inhalation of Asbestos fibre has long been recognized as a source of fatal respiratory diseases in humans. Diseases such as Asbestosis, mesothelioma, and bronchial carcinoma are all common health effects caused by exposure (through inhalation) of Asbestos fibre. Those most at risk are those installing pipes (manually handling or cutting and sizing pipes), those removing pipes, or those who accidentally come across them as part of excavation and groundworks. Now that the new use of Asbestos cement pipes is for the most part prohibited or has ceased, then it is those involved in groundworks that are most at risk. In the Middle East it is not uncommon to see broken Asbestos cement pipes that have been dug up as part of ground excavation works and discarded to one side (see attached pictures). So, what can be done?
Asbestos Surveys, Testing and Analysis
Prior to starting site excavation and groundworks, a due diligence exercise and desktop study on existing services should be carried out. If pipework is present, then it should be suspected to contain Asbestos until proven otherwise. A site survey for Asbestos, with depth profiling of the ground should be conducted by an Asbestos Supervising Consultant (ASC) and samples of suspected sub surface Asbestos materials should be collected. The extent of the Asbestos should be quantified and delineated.
Asbestos Removal
If Asbestos materials such as Asbestos cement pipes are found these should be removed by a specialist Asbestos Removal Contractor (ARC) under the supervision of an ASC. Pipework should be isolated, drained, dampened down and removed using mechanical means (slinging/excavator/crane – typically). Asbestos waste should be double bagged, sealed and labeled and debris should be removed by Asbestos removal operatives. Asbestos waste should only be disposed of at a landfill site capable of receiving Asbestos waste.
Asbestos cement pipework debris excavated from the ground
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