Sri Lanka to control use and import of asbestos from 2018
September 7, 2016 01:08 pm
The Cabinet of Ministers has 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.
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.
Proper management of polythene & plastic
Meanwhile the Cabinet has also approved the appointment of a Committee of Experts to prepare a national policy and an action plan on the use of polythene, plastic and bio-degradable plastic in Sri Lanka.
There is an increased use of plastic and polythene related products in the society and improper use, disposal and burning of these products have caused many social, environmental, health and economic issues.
Daily per capita use of polythene is about 0.5 kg and about five hundred thousand (500,000) tons of polythene materials are imported to Sri Lanka annually, according to the government.
It said that while some countries in the world have completely prohibited the use of polythene, some have allowed to use selected plastic products.
“Considering the need of controlling environmental impacts caused by polythene and the fact that a numerous employees are engaged in plastic and polythene related industries, the proposal made by the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to appoint a Committee of Experts to prepare a national policy and an action plan on the use of polythene, plastic and bio-degradable plastic in Sri Lanka, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers,” the release said.
