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Sometimes our knowledge is limited and incorrectly influenced by various media reports. We thought that the days of asbestos had long passed. An association between asbestos and lung cancer has been knows since decades, and everybody knows about the legal actions going out in certain parts of the world.
A recent article in the Nation (14 May) reveals two important facts. First : Chrysotile, a type of asbestos that is reportedly less toxic, is still being used. Second : While asbestos in general has been outlawed in Western countries, Thailand is siding with countries like Malaysia, Philippines and China, and continues using the substance in construction. The reason : it strenghtens construction, and it is cheaper than substitute products that are available now (some substitute products are actually already produced in Thailand).
So, whether you stay in Thailand for a holiday in a hotel, or reside here in a condominium, you can be quite certain that most likely the building you are in, contains chrysotile, a form of asbestos. Probably not necessary to panic, but maybe you should not drill too many holes in your walls, and let the stuff escape into the air you breath.
(Edited and abbreviated article from the Nation) :
Asbestos can cause cancer but 'it's cheap' by Kamol Sukin
Published on May 14, 2006
Official sees 'no reason' for more expensive substitutes
Known as a cause of lung cancer, asbestos has been banned in the European Union and other advanced nations such as Japan for years.
But some new scientific studies show that its use in construction and other industries could still be safe if handled properly.
Thailand permits the use of white asbestos, called chrysotile, as a raw material in manufacturing.
Professor David Bernstein, a Swiss consultant on toxicology, said here last week that it was a common misconception that asbestos was generally dangerous and should be banned.
"We can use chrysotile safely if it is cleverly used," he said.
Bernstein, who is also a member of expert panels for the US Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organisation, said chrysotile was less dangerous than blue or brown asbestos due to its greater fragility and solubility.
"This helps it get out of the human lung easily before causing trouble in the body," he said.
Srichant Uthayopas, director of the Industrial Works Department's Hazardous Substance Control Bureau, said Thailand imported about 200,000 tonnes of asbestos a year, mostly for various kinds of cement products used in construction. Some is used for auto parts like brakes and clutches, as well as insulators and textiles.
Asbestos made of crocidolite and amosite minerals has been outlawed here since July 2003, but chrysotile is still allowed into the country on prior approval.
"We now import only chrysotile, because our industry needs it for its strength and flexibility, which are required for construction projects," she said.
"A substitute for chrysotile would be costly, and I see no reason to pay more for one. Safety and environmental protection are important, but economics is more so," Srichant said, adding that Malaysia, the Philippines and China also still used chrysotile.
Health experts beg to differ. According to a research study by Mahidol University, 2.1 of every 10,000 people living in buildings made from cement containing asbestos are liable to develop lung cancer. The risk rises to 2.37 per 10,000 if they both live and work in such buildings. The study is based on a life expectancy of 70 years, including 40 years of work.
"Yes, the risk is there, but it is small compared to smokers, who have a higher risk, 880 out of 10,000," Srichant said, adding that as long as there was no scientific proof, chrysotile should still be used.
Local health and pollution-control officials want to ban chrysotile following the adoption of the Rotterdam Convention.
In response to this article there were a few comments published in 'Letters to the Editor' in the same newspaper. Most were reporting on the potential health risks of continuing to use chrysotile asbestos.
The following (modified) appeared on 25 May 2006.
Use of any type of asbestos as a building material carries unacceptable health risks
Re: "Asbestos can cause cancer, but 'it's cheap'," News, May 14
This article points out that Thailand still permits the use of white asbestos, called chrysotile, as a raw material in manufacturing. Scientific evidence clearly shows that all kinds of asbestos, including chrysotile, can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma (asbestos-specific cancer) 25-40 years after exposure. The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation has classified chrysotile as group 1 (carcinogenic to humans). The International Programme on Chemical Safety has classified chrysotile as a carcinogen. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that asbestos kills 100,000 workers a year worldwide. The extensive use of asbestos in the 1970s in industrially developed countries lies behind many of the asbestos-related cancer cases we see today.
Some 40 countries have banned the use of all kinds of asbestos, including chrysotile, as an efficient way of eliminating asbestos-related hazards. This is in line with the ILO's Asbestos Convention, which prescribes comprehensive protective measures. The ILO's Occupational-Cancer Convention urges carcinogenic substances to be replaced by less-hazardous materials. Asbestos substitutes, although not perfectly safe either, are much safer than chrysotile. None of the stringent regulators report any negative consequences for national economies that switch to asbestos substitutes.
The Public Health Ministry of Thailand, in cooperation with the Labour Ministry, will host the Asian Asbestos Conference from July 26-27 in Bangkok, in order to provide a forum to discuss protection measures. The ILO will co-sponsor this important conference. Workers and the general public need accurate and up-to-date knowledge about the health hazards of asbestos, in order to protect themselves. Business communities can increase their efforts to replace asbestos with safer materials. These efforts will contribute to their long-term business success. A local Thai construction-materials company, for example, has already started selling a non-asbestos product in response to customer demand. It is time for Thailand to find effective measures to protect workers and the general public from asbestos.
Dr Tsuyoshi Kawakami
Senior specialist in occupational safety and health
ILO Subregional Office for East Asia
Dr Chalermchai Chaikittiporn
Dean, Faculty of Public Health
Mahidol University
Bangkok
Conclusion : Does Thailand really want to continue acting like a Third World Country? The country's present GDP and the prosperity of construction companies, warrants a more constructive approach. While chrysotile reported is less hazardous than other asbestos material, we can do without. There are already enough hazardous materials floating in the air around Bangkok.
More resources : Institute du Chrysotile (English language) | International Ban Asbestos Secretariat
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