NGOs Back Asbestos Ban, Call for Immediate Implementation

Two NGOs have expressed their support for a complete ban on the use of asbestos in the country, and are urging Putrajaya to implement it immediately. They say the ban would see a decline in asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and even lung cancer.

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) and Health and Safety Advisory Centre (Hasac) said the ban would be a progressive step toward protecting public health as asbestos is still widely used despite its harmful health effects.

They want the government to complete its ongoing study on the matter and take steps to enforce the ban to reduce the incidence and prevent future cases of asbestos-related diseases.

CAP chief executive S Mageswari said extensive scientific research conducted has concluded that there was no safe way to use asbestos. She said the data compiled showed that the national prevalence of asbestos-related diseases was directly proportional to consumption of the material. These diseases include mesothelioma, asbestosis and even lung cancer.

“CAP has been advocating for an outright ban on asbestos for decades. In fact, we had in a memorandum submitted to the government in July 2024 renewed our call for all forms of asbestos to be banned,” she told FMT.

CAP had made a similar call as far back as in 2001.

Mageswari urged the government to raise greater awareness among workers and consumers regarding the dangers of asbestos and the proper way in which the substance should be removed in line with the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 2000.

Mageswari said government authorities had informed CAP in December that only one industry in Malaysia still used asbestos in its processes. “However, they will transition out if the government bans it.”

T Jayabalan, founder and president of Hasac, expressed his support for CAP on the matter and criticised previous governments for not putting the ban in place much earlier.

“It was delayed due to several factors, including the lack of availability of substitutes, insensitive policymakers, and a corrupt bureaucracy,” he said, adding that he has spent the last three decades calling for the ban.

Jayabalan added that patented polyvinyl chloride (PVC), natural fibres, oil palm fibre, and zinc sheets were viable alternatives to asbestos.

On January 11, natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said Putrajaya was considering implementing a total ban on asbestos use. He said the environment department has been studying the use of industrial asbestos and its environmental and health impacts.

As of October 2022, asbestos has been banned in 69 countries, including Finland, Italy, Germany, Australia, Japan and Thailand.

In 2006, the International Labour Organization recommended that all countries ban asbestos.

Source: Free Malaysia Today (14 Jan 2025)