Asbestos to be completely banned from 2024

The Cabinet has approved a proposal aimed at controlling the import and use of asbestos from January 1, 2018 and to prepare an operational program to prohibit asbestos related products from January 1, 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, the Government noted. 

Accordingly, the proposal made by 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 an operational program to prohibit 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 further added. 

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