Update on the development of a national program on asbestos

Manila, Philippines — The chrysotile industry will be consulted next on the proposed national program for the elimination of asbestos related diseases (NPEAD). This was agreed on in a consultation spearheaded by the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) held on 28 September 2009.

The said consultation discussed asbestos initiatives and policies of government agencies, particularly DOLE, DOH (Department of Health), DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), BOC (Bureau of Customs) and DOST (Department of Science and Technology), and issues arising from those initiatives and policies. Representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) and its affiliate Associated Labor Unions (ALU) served as resource persons.

The DENR prohibits, limits and regulates asbestos through the CCO (Chemical Control Order) for Asbestos. The CCO covers manufacturers, importers, industrial facilities and asbestos service providers. Implementation of the CCO is devolved to the regional offices, including the registry of companies engaged with asbestos. The registry must be updated to include companies with import clearances as per BOC and obvious users of asbestos such as power plants.

The BOC computerization has made easily available data on imported asbestos and asbestos-containing materials and companies with import clearances from DENR. However, imports labeled with trade names only (i.e., motor vehicle parts for brake linings) do not immediately show asbestos and BOC cannot hold shipments without valid grounds since trade facilitation is one of their main functions. BOC and DENR records on import clearances must be crossed check to effectively monitor the entry of asbestos.

The DOST developed alternatives using local materials mainly for the construction sector. The DOST has yet to conduct studies on substitutes for brake pads or heat-resistant products using asbestos. It has no list of alternatives available in the market and their prices compared with asbestos.

Mesothelioma cases can be obtained from the cancer registry of the DOH but equally important is the detection and diagnosis of asbestos-related diseases. DOLE is on inspection of safety and health standards in workplaces but dependent on the list of companies from the DENR.

The National Asbestos Profile in the WHO/ILO outline for the development of the NPEAD could address the issues. The NPEAD has several components and the asbestos profile is just a part of the whole program. There was a tendency to make the asbestos profile a pre-requisite to the NPEAD and it was clarified that a clear institutional framework could move the process forward.

The institutional framework will be discussed during the consultation with the chrysotile industry. – Dominador Tuvera