LH Bulletin    |    Reports & Announcements    |    Mission Statement    |    How to Join the LH Listserv    |    Home

Tais Timor, Vol. 1, No.17
September 22, 2000, page 6

"Asbestos campaign launched"

A consignment of 30,000 protective masks for use by construction industry workers was due to arrive in East Timor in early October. The masks have been bought by the Division of Health Services as part of UNTAET's measures to reduce the risks from handling asbestos, particularly in clearing rubble. Officials said the masks would be distributed to companies as soon as they arrive.

Asbestos is widely used in insulation materials (the most dangerous form) and as a fire retardant. Rough handling or other damage releases asbestos fibres, which if inhaled can - over a long period of time - cause mesothelioma and forms of cancer.

The alarm was first sounded in July by La's Hamutuk, a Dili-based watchdog organization involved in policy monitoring and evaluation. The organization's Scott Cunliffe warned: "Many people are not aware of the danger of being exposed to these materials." The Australian Council of Trade Unions also issued a warning. UNTAET immediately took up the matter.

A consultant's survey found that about 10 per cent of the residential and 40 per cent of the public buildings in East Timor contain asbestos cement. More than 30 building engineers employed to survey school buildings were given training in asbestos management. Now guidelines have been issued by the administration for people working with asbestos.

ADVICE INCLUDES

• dampen rubble with water before it is removed
• cover the nose and mouth with an anti-asbestos mask
• do not use cutting and power tools in the removal of asbestos materials: careful manual handling is preferable as it creates less dust
• bar children from areas containing asbestos
• no eating or smoking in asbestos cement areas, since both increase exposure by
• presenting a direct pathway into human organs.