Regional Workshop on the Environmentally Sound Management of Asbestos

Venue: Hilton Alexandria Corniche

Background: Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring minerals used in certain products such as building materials and vehicle brakes. In the past, it was a desirable additive to many products due to its heat resistance, strength and durability. Many common building materials that you see every day may contain asbestos. Some of these include floor tile, ceiling tile, mastics (glue) on floor tile and cove base, joint compound, pipe insulation, and fire proofing materials. All forms of asbestos are known human lung carcinogens when a person is excessively exposed to the loose fibers or asbestos dust.  Loose fibers or dust can become airborne and cause exposures in the occupational setting.  Asbestos is a serious health hazard, there are known cases of asbestosis (a lung disease) and  mesothelioma (a specific lung cancer only caused by asbestos). Asbestos is listed as a category of controlled waste under Annex I of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal [1992]. Specifically, any waste streams having asbestos (dust and fibres) as constituents are controlled (Item Y36).

Working Language: English &Arabic

Organizer: BCRC-Egypt with the assistance of BRS Secretariat 

Meeting Objectives:

• To provide an overview of what asbestos is and where it exists
• To represent the standards and regulations for Asbestos levels
• To provide background information on the health risks associated with the exposure to asbestos
• To provide guidance on the best practices in asbestos handling and disposal options

Target Audience:  The workshop targeted the National technical officials responsible for or involved in hazardous Waste Management. There were 8 participants from 7 Arab countries which were: Republic of Djibouti, Arab Republic of Egypt, Kuwait, Kingdom of Morocco Palestinian Authority, Lebanese Republic, and the Republic of Sudan

Outcome:

• The participants became aware of the standards and regulations of the asbestos levels as stated by the international organizations
• The participants gained experience about the best practice of asbestos handling and disposal options
• Participants became well aware of the impacts of asbestos to human health and the environment

Recommendations: 

• Exchange of experiences and successful models for the safe disposal of asbestos waste and asbestos containing material in Arab countries
• The need for cooperation to benefit from international and regional expertise.
• Emphasis on not using asbestos pipes in each of drinking water, sewage water, and agricultural and industrial drainage in the future.
• The importance of having accredited contractors that have specialized experience in dealing with asbestos waste and asbestos containing material
• Issuing legislation on how to deal with asbestos waste
• Constructing landfills for asbestos waste according to international standard
• Preparing technical features and necessary codes for the safe disposal of asbestos
• The importance of raising awareness and the role of the media
• The role of BCRC in communicating with the specialized international organizations to be aware of the latest regulations and the means of treatment
• The importance of coordinating the national reports and the role of the center in communicating and exchanging the latest findings especially concerning the early warning mechanism

Meeting Documents

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