Asbestos Scenario in Nepal

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Asbestos Scenario in Nepal
“Using asbestos has been discouraged in Nepal,as the World Health Organisation has
stated that exposure to asbestos can cause cancer,” said Jaya Ram Lamichhane, ex-president
of the Federation of Contractors’ Association of Nepal. “Asbestos is largely used in roofing in
Nepal and is mostly used in traditional buildings.”
The Centre for Public Health and Environmental Development, an NGO, which has
been lobbying to ban asbestos, welcomed the government’s move and said it would help protect
human health, as well as environment from negative consequences of asbestos. According to
CEPHED, records at the Department of Customs show that Nepal imported about 1,195 tonnes
of asbestos for use in construction work in the fiscal year 2012-13 itself.
Where found or where used
Older products such as stove-top pads may have some asbestos compounds. Walls and floors
around wood burning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement
sheets. Asbestos is found in some vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and
adhesives. It was used in such applications as electrical insulation for hotplate wiring and
in building insulation. When asbestos is used for its resistance to fire or heat, the fibers are often
mixed with cement or woven into fabric or mats.
Asbestos: elimination of asbestos-related diseases
Eliminating asbestos-related diseases is particularly targeted at countries still using
chrysotile asbestos, in addition to assistance in relation to exposures arising from historical
use of all forms of asbestos.
WHO,

in

collaboration

with

the

International

Labour

Organization

and

other

intergovernmental organizations and civil society, works with countries towards elimination of
asbestos-related diseases in the following ways:


by recognizing that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to
stop the use of all types of asbestos;



by providing information about solutions for replacing asbestos with safer substitutes
and developing economic and technological mechanisms to stimulate its replacement;



by taking measures to prevent exposure to asbestos in place and during asbestos
removal (abatement);



by improving early diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation services for asbestosrelated diseases;
Potential Health Hazards
Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause cancer and other diseases, such as:


asbestosis
o



mesothelioma
o



a scarring of the lungs, which makes it difficult to breathe

a rare cancer of the lining of the chest or abdominal cavity

lung cancer
o

smoking can greatly increase this risk

There are no significant health risks if materials containing asbestos in your home are:


tightly bound in products and are in good condition



sealed behind walls and floorboards



isolated in an attic



left undisturbed

Remarks,Suggestion and noteworthy point
1)
2)
3)

Update existing asbestos-in-building guidance
Encourage compliance with existing regulations
Clarify the asbestos definition to address asbestos contamination in vermiculite
and other minerals

4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)

Advance a federal legislative ban on asbestos
Develop a national mesothelioma registry
Update asbestos model training curriculam
Enforce existing asbestos regulations
Reduce the occurrence of unintended asbestos in products.
Address asbestos-containing products in commerce
Partner with state agencies in support of asbestos training

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