Tsunami and safety:: beware asbestos products in the clearance and reconstruction

Paul Blackaby.

I have NGO contacts in Sri Lanka and I understand that the advice from the World Health Organisation http://w3.whosea.org/EN/Section23/Section1108/Section1835/Section1864_8658.htm
is not being followed. This includes teams coordinated by USAid. (Further reference to the risk of asbestos debris being recycled
http://w3.whosea.org/EN/Section23/Section1108/Section1835/Section1864_8700.htm .)

Asbestos products (ACMs) are still manufactured and used extensively in Sri Lanka. The situation is likely to be the same in other countries in the affected area. These products were banned in the UK in 1999, where there is considerable controlling legislation (see references for health and safety information). Beware of misinformation published by suppliers of these products. Responsible NGOs and INGOs are refusing to use ACMs. Failure to follow this advice will lead to further tragic consequences.

Those exposed to damaged or abraded asbestos or in reconstruction will need to seek medical advice and likely to need a regular health surveillance programme for many years to come.
ALL asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are inherently hazardous (including for example corrugated asbestos cement sheets). There are safe, cost-effective substitute materials on the market. Please ensure that this message gets disseminated through your contacts to the people on the ground (volunteers, workers, residents, etc.). You have a duty of care.

The people of Sri Lanka and other affected counties have already suffered much. Further suffering caused by asbestos fatalities is preventable.

References:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/asbindex.htm
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos
http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos

Regards,
Paul Blackaby.

paul blackaby
ims applications manager
affinity homes group limited bromley
http://www.affinityhg.com
020 8315 5331

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See e-mail below for a good safety idea.

...also note that http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ms13.pdf (medical guidance notes in relation to asbestos exposure) has just been added to the Health and Safety Executives web site.