Cabinet lifts ban on usage of white asbestos for state institutions

The Cabinet decided to life the ban on the use of white asbestos for state institutions but will continue the full ban on blue asbestos with effect from January 1, 2018.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal to control the import and use of asbestos from January 01, 2018 and to prepare an
operational programme to prohibit the asbestos related productions by the year 2024, earlier this year.

Asbestos is used for many products including roofing sheets, floor tiles, cement pipes, brake pads of vehicles, papers, and ropes.

Since 1987 importation of blue asbestos (Crocidolite) has been prohibited as it was identified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO), and at present all kinds of asbestos including white asbestos (Chrysotile) have been identified as carcinogens.

About 80% of asbestos imported to Sri Lanka are used for roofing sheet production.

“Accordingly, the proposal made by the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to control the use and import of asbestos from 01-01-2018 by adopting more beneficial substitutes and to prepare a operational programme to prohibit the asbestos related productions by 01-01-2024 with the view of improving the health of public, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers,” the government said.


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