Confronting the International Asbestos-Cement Industry

Andrew F. Oberta, MPH, CIHThe Environmental Consultancy

© 2012 The Environmental Consultancy. All rights reserved. May be used with attribution to Andrew F. Oberta, MPH, CIH, The Environmental Consultancy, www.asbestosguru-oberta.com

This presentation was given at the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization conference on March 31, 2012 in Manhattan Beach, California. It is provided here for use by those who are willing to accept the challenge to put the world-wide asbestos-cement industry out of business. No restrictions are placed on its use other than to refrain from alteration of the content in a way that would misrepresent the intent of the presentation. Attribution to Andrew F. Oberta, MPH, CIH, The Environmental Consultancy, www.asbestosguru-oberta.com is requested.

The text in the Notes panel below each slide in Normal view are my explanation of the content.

I would appreciate any feedback on your use of this presentation and any results achieved therefrom. My contact information is at the end of the program.

Andy Oberta

Andy Oberta

Where does asbestos fiber come from?

More than 90% of the world production of chrysotile is used in the manufacture of chrysotile-cement, in the form of pipes, sheets and shingles -- Chrysotile Institute

World Mine Production and Reserves: 2011  Production, tons Reserves

Russia 1,000,000 LargeChina 400,000 LargeBrazil 270,000 ModerateKazakhstan 210,000 LargeCanada 100,000 LargeOther countries 20,000 ModerateWorld total (rounded) 2,000,000 200,000,000

Source: U.S. G.S. Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2012

Where is asbestos fiber used?

• Recent US consumption is minimal 2011 consumption: 1100 tons (imported) Roofing - 60% ; Chloralkali - 35%; Other - 5%

• Asbestos cement used for roofing, siding and pipes

Where is asbestos fiber used?

• 2010 consumption in metric tons• China - 613,760• India - 426,363• Russia - 263,037• Brazil - 139,153• Indonesia - 111,848

• Developing countries are target markets• Even industrialized countries may lack a

health and environmental protection infrastructure for asbestos hazards

Hazards of producing the fiber

Mining, milling, transportation

Hazards of manufacturing the products

Hazards of manufacturing the products

“Representatives of the world's major chrysotile exporting mines signed an agreement whereby they committed to supply chrysotile fibre only to those companies that demonstrate compliance with national health and safety regulations.” -- The Chrysotile Institute

Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Hazards of manufacturing the products

Source: OEHNI Times .. Issue 3 .. Oct - Dec 2010

Myths and Facts of “Controlled Use”Myth: Asbestos-cement cannot be crumbled to powder by hand pressure- it is non-friable

Fact: Asbestos-cement can become friable when damaged

Myths and Facts of “Controlled Use”Myth: Asbestos fibers are locked in the cement matrix and cannot be released from the surface

Fact: Fibers are released through normal weathering processes

J. Dyczek

J. Millette

L. Dwyer

Myth: Asbestos-cement products present no exposure hazard to building occupants

Myths and Facts of “Controlled Use”

Fact: Damage and vibration can expose building occupants to asbestos hazards

Myth: Asbestos-cement pipes cause no health or environmental hazard

Myths and Facts of “Controlled Use”

Fact: Chrysotile and crocidolite fibers are released when pipes are dug up, broken and crushed

J. Millette

Myth: Paint and encapsulants offer permanent protection against asbestos fiber release

Myths and Facts of “Controlled Use”

Fact: Paint and encapsulants deteriorate and take asbestos fibers with them when they peel off

PLM

SEM

Fiberquant

Confronting the Problem of Installed Products

• Outreach and education to create awareness of hazards• Example: roof removal from shelters in Indonesia, April 2011•Dave Hodgkin, Benchmark Consulting, Indonesia •Two-day community workshop on issues and methods•Removal demonstration at two shelters by facilitators•Removals at 50 shelters by community participants

• Enforce proper work practices through regulations, contracts and other mechanisms• ASTM E2394 Standard Practice for Maintenance, Renovation and Repair of Installed Asbestos

Cement Products (www.astm.org)• United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia publications

Confronting the Problem of New Products

• Discourage consumption by• Creating awareness of hazards through outreach and

education• Implementing regulatory and economic incentives and

penalties• Supporting the development and economic use of

products with alternative fibers• Reduce availability by

– Bans on importing and using asbestos fiber– Disrupting supplies of cement

Disrupting supplies of cement

• Every ton of asbestos fiber requires several tons of cement to make asbestos-cement products

• Suppliers of cement contribute to the manufacture of a hazardous product

• Suppliers of cement may be participating in a criminal enterprise

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Disrupting supplies of cement

• Identify the suppliers of cement to the asbestos-cement industry in each country• Domestic producers• Importers

• Use moral persuasion and public exposure to discourage them from supplying the asbestos-cement market

• Identify target audiences and media resources• Labor unions, investors, financial institutions• Traditional and social media

Disrupting supplies of cement

• Use economic penalties and incentives to reduce economic advantages of asbestos-cement • Higher tariffs on imported cement, higher taxes on

domestic production, for use with asbestos fiber• Subsidies on cement used with alternative fibers

• Use litigation and liability to put pressure on cement companies• Name cement companies as defendants in asbestos

litigation• Advise insurance carriers of their potential risk• Inform cement companies of threat of civil and criminal

penalties

Technical measures not enough• Credible technical information essential to counter

arguments that asbestos-cement products are not hazardous– Industrial hygiene studies of fiber release and exposure – Medical studies of health effects from exposure– Practical measures for controlling exposure

• Elimination of asbestos-cement products requires institutional actions – economic, financial and political -- by advocates and activists

• Biographical summary of Andrew F. Oberta, MPH, CIH • BS Aeronautical Engineering and Master of Public Health degrees• Certified in Comprehensive Practice by American Board of Industrial Hygiene • Over thirty years experience in asbestos consulting• Chairman of Task Group on Asbestos Management for ASTM International • Author of ASTM Manual on Asbestos Control • Presentations at seven international asbestos conferences from 2000 to 2012

• Mr. Oberta will organize a technical session for any conference which addresses advocacy measures to confront and eventually eliminate the asbestos-cement industry. For his contributions he will expect reimbursement of travel and other direct expenses.

Andrew F. Oberta, MPH, CIH The Environmental Consultancy

900 Route 620 South, Suite C101, M/S 101Austin, TX 78734 United States

(512) 266-1368andyobe@aol.com -- www.asbestosguru-oberta.com