Chrysotile – Completely replacing or using under control.

(Vietnamnet.vn) – Replacing chrysotile in roof sheet production due to its impact on human health or using it under control are remaining a never – ending debate.

Many countries allow to use chrysotile under control

Despite existing in the same silicate fiber form, amphibole fibers have completely different physicochemical properties with chrysotile fiber. Due to the history of using amphibole fiber which has been proven to cause cancer and has been completely banned worldwide, many countries such as Japan, Australia are facing with many cases of asbestos – related diseases.

Meanwhile, chrysotile is allowed to use in 147 countries including United States, Russia, Brazil, India, Thailand, Indonesia… in several industries such as car’s brake pads, elevator, resistance materials, aviation as well as energy and military.

Specifically, United States had banned chrysotile in the past, however, the Supreme Court evoked the ban because many studies have demonstrated that products, which do not emit chrysotile fibers, do not cause cancer.

Singapore and Taiwan had banned chrysotile but have withdrawn from the list of banned countries since 2010. Most of these countries are ahead of Vietnam in producing chrysotile – containing materials.  Government’s perspective is that allow chrysotile – related industries to produce under control with strictly regulations to ensure health and environment.

In Vietnam, in 1963, Dong Nai Roof Sheets Factory was the first manufacture who applied chrysotile in roof sheets production. Hatcheck technology is a humid and closed technology. During the last 54 years, no cases of asbestos – related diseases such as mesothelioma have been found in this factory in particular and in Vietnam in general.

Explanation

By the end of July 2017, the National Assembly’s Committee of Science, Technology and Environment has coordinated with the Committee of Social Affairs to organize the conference titled: “the use of chrysotile in Vietnam and the world”.

At the conference, Dr. Le Thi Hang – Director of Construction hospital – Ministry of Construction shared her perspective: “In terms of worker’s health at all factories where we tracked for 25 years, we coordinated with Tuberculosis hospital, Hanoi Medical University, Ministry of Health, Military Medical Academy and many leading professors on consultation, film reading, designing research programs and topics. As a result, lung cancer or mesothelioma has not been identified”

Since 2008, the Occupational Health Care Program has been implemented for workers by Construction hospital and leading experts. Result for 9 consecutive years (2008 – 2016) have not shown any cases of chrysotile – related cancers.

At the conference, Associate. Prof – Dr. Tran Thi Ngoc Lan – Former Deputy Director of Health Environment Management Agency – Ministry of Health published some statistics. In 27.000 cases of occupational disease in Vietnam, there were 20.000 cases of dust exposure, but only 3 cases of pneumoconiosis caused by exposure to chrysotile.

PhD. Bui Sy Loi – Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Social Affairs revealed a fact that most countries have strict regulations on chrysotile, but the number of countries still using and producing this material is three times more than the number of banned countries. Many economic researches showed pointed out that if the ban on chrysotile is approved, the amount of money that the Government will have to pay is much more expensive than the costs that businesses and society will lose.

“there is no similar substitute material for price, quality and suitable for technology replacement conditions of enterprises while the demand for chrysotile, especially in the production of roof sheets is real and suitable for the income of several consumers in Vietnam, especially in suitable with the climate conditions of the coastal, frost and flood areas.” – Mr. Loi shared the perspective of the Committee of Social Affairs.

2015, the Central Institute for Economic Management – Ministry of Planning and Investment launched a research titled: “the economic impacts of the ban on chrysotile in Vietnam – the case of AC roof sheets industry”.

According to the research, the replacement of chrysotile – PVA technology will cost a total of 395 billion VND. During the transition, assuming that around 10% of workers would be fired and they need at least 6 months to find a new job with the equivalent wage, the total lost wage would be 15.7 billion VND.  The lowest costs for Government and users to dismantle AC roof sheets, install and purchase substitutes would be 454.5 billion VND and 183.5 thousand billion VND respectively.

Thanh Loan