Asbestos: A silent killer in building material

At a time when the use of asbestos in the world has plummeted while 68 countries fully or partially banned it, a number of companies in Bangladesh are up and doing their best to continue production of cement sheets laced with the harmful substance.

The rising trend in asbestos use in cement sheet manufacturing factories poses threat to public health even if found in a small amount in a working and living condition. Despite such a harrowing fact, a whopping 24,019 tons of asbestos were imported by six companies in Fiscal Year 2018-19.

Anwar Cement Sheet Limited, a leading market player, alone imported 18,887.5 tons in Fiscal Year 2018-19 while Aramit Limited, Moriom Cement Sheet Mills Limited, Woodland Roof Sheet Limited, Meb Sheet Glass Industries Limited and Bhuiyan Auto Mobile the rest.

In 1998, the amount of asbestos imported in the country was only 1,010 tons which logged a two-fold rise in 2010, with the figure jumping to 12,100 tons in 2014.

The grey mineral is widely used in roofs or interior purposes, thereby spreading to millions of households and industrial units every year in the country.

So far, at least 68 countries imposed a ban on the trade and the use of asbestos, according to International Ban Asbestos Secretariat.

Why are cement sheets so popular?

The cement sheets have a huge demand for being cheap and heat-and fire-resistant alongside having an average lifespan of 40-50 years.

Not only the sheets but also tiles, pipes, electric insulator, car brake pad and many other products contain asbestos.

There are six types of asbestos -- actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite and tremolite -- extracted from mine. Of them, chrysotile consists 90 per cent of global use while it is also largely used by cement sheet manufacturers here in Bangladesh too.

However, 21 countries specifically mentioned chrysotile when they imposed ban on asbestos and 68 countries fully or partially banned it.

Rules there, but ignored

The Hazardous Waste and Ship Breaking Waste Management Rules of 2011 stipulates that a product containing asbestos of 5,000ml or more per kilogramme can be considered hazardous.

However, in reality, a cement sheet embodies many times the permissible limit of asbestos.

In 2017, Civil Engineering Department of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) conducted a study on Anwar Cement Sheet Factory at Munshiganj.

The factory, with its cent percent capacity, can produce 1,32,480 linear feet of sheets per day. The raw material mix consists of 11 per cent fiber, 74 per cent cement and 15 per cent fly ash, finds the study.

Asbestos fiber reinforces the cement and fly ash as is done by steel rods in concrete structures. In reply to a query, Anwar Group Managing Director Manwar Hossain said chrysotile does not cause cancer. There is no scientific evidence for this anywhere in the world.

“On what basis did the Department of Environment give us the letter without approving our application for renewal of site clearance and what is the scientific evidence behind its decision?” he posed a question.

Asked about the ban on chrysotile in many countries of the world, Manwar gave the version that it was the year of 1980-1990 when research was going on about it and when some countries went against it. Claiming that chrysotile is not banned in Russia, the United States and India, he said these countries have decided to use chrysotile taking much into consideration.

However, International Chrysotile Association (ICA) itself admits the risk of lung cancer in its own publication. According to its publication titled “Science-based facts: Relevant health issues” and some other publications, chrysotile can cause lung cancer 10 times lower than amosite and 50 times lower than crocidolite. In case of mesothelioma, the risk is 100 times lower than amosite, and 500 times lower than crocidolite.

Buet Civil Engineering Professor Tanvir Ahmed said: “Asbestos becomes dangerous when the cement sheet will start decaying after its lifespan, or gets cracked or turns into dust. People will risk having asbestos-related diseases in the long run if exposed to the grey mineral.”

Citing the fact, the academician said it is unfortunate not to have enough lab testing facility to measure asbestos in the air here. Professor Tanvir stressed the need for strict rules and monitoring mechanism by the Department of Environment (DOE). Asked about the dangerous downside of asbestos, Konok Kanty Sen, chief operating officer of Aramit Limited, declined to make any comment on the issue.

The danger factors

A 2014 World Health Organisation (WHO) report on chrysotile asbestos says asbestos is classified by the International Agency for research on cancer as being carcinogenic to humans.

Exposure to chrysotile, amosite and anthophyllite and to the mixtures containing crocidolite results in an increased risk of lung cancer and other serious health complications, killing 107,000 people worldwide annually.

In the period, 37 of 53 member states in the WHO European region adopted policies banning the use of all forms of asbestos, according to the report.

Another WHO report in 2017 states that at present, four countries – Brazil, China, Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation – produce over 99 per cent of the world’s asbestos while 25 countries each consumed at least 1000 tons of asbestos per year. According to WHO, the annual global healthcare costs associated with the health effects of asbestos are estimated to be $ 2.4– $3.9 billion excluding the additional costs of pain, suffering and welfare losses.

The thin dust of asbestos covers the surface of the lungs and cannot be removed. It causes lungs to shrink permanently. Asbestos cancers include mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and laryngeal cancer.

Md Golam Mostafa, former professor of Histopathology at the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, said asbestos comes to environment only when someone uses in production. Avoiding the places where asbestos exist is the way to remain safe from the deadly substance.

According to the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat, many countries are using asbestos alternatives taking the health issues into consideration.

They suggested using synthetic fiber such as polyvinyl alcohol and polypropylene and vegetable or cellulose fiber such as bamboo, sisal, coir, rattan shavings and tobacco stalks.

Abdul Motin, professor, Department of Glass and Ceramic Engineering, said: “Manufacturers use asbestos in cement sheet for strengthening. There are alternatives to asbestos which will be more suitable for us.”

Action taken

The DoE refused to renew the site clearance for Anwar Cement Sheet Limited, which planned to use chrysotile asbestos. In a letter sent in February last year, the DoE also asked the company to notify the former of the steps taken on using asbestos alternatives.

Masud Iqbal Md Shameem, director of DoE (Environmental clearance) said: “We did not approve the application of Anwar Cement Sheet Limited for the renewal of site clearance. Later they placed another application for reconsideration.” “This time we will seek suggestion from the higher authorities concerned for decision.”

The DoE decided to write a letter to the commerce ministry for imposing ban on asbestos import. The letter has not been sent yet.

Bangladesh goes counter to worldwide trend

A 2017 WHO report titled “Asbestos: Economic assessment of bans and declining production and consumption” pointed out a worldwide declining trend of asbestos production and use.

According to the report, an aggregate annual asbestos production and consumption reduced to 2 million tons in 2013 from 4.8 million tons in 1980, but Bangladesh is in the opposite direction.

The World Health Organisation finds that 10 countries use 90% world asbestos while Bangladesh is the 15th highest importing country in 2013 when it imported 8,030 tons of asbestos. The import volume tripled in 2018.