Status of Asbestos in the

Philippines
4th Asian Asbestos Initiative (AAI4) International Seminar
Pusan, Republic of Korea, 16-18 November 2011

ELMER G. BENEDICTOS, ME, MPA

Supervising Health Program Officer/OIC-EOHO
Department of Health, Philippines

Outline of Presentation
General Profile
n Responsible Agencies
n Enabling Laws and Policies
n Present Initiatives and Activities
n Challenges/Recommendations
n

General Profile
n
n
n

n
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Total ban on all types of asbestos except Chrysotile

Over P5 Billion Industry (USD 100M)
12,000 workers employed
5,000 direct
30,000 indirect
Compensation of P315 M/YR (USD 7.32M)
Volume of Importation:
3,667 MT/YR (DENR)/ 4,000 MT/YR (DTI)
6,000 MT/YR (ACIP)
Confirmed cases of asbestosis/mesothelioma: 9
(ECC/LCP)

Agency Responsible
DENR-EMB establishes rules, regulations, and
programs for controlling chemical substances
and hazardous wastes in the Philippines.
n DOLE - BWC establishes rules and regulations
and programs for controlling work related
hazards, accidents and injuries in the
workplace.
n DOH NCDPC establishes rules and
regulations to ensure the health and welfare of
the population.
n

Agency Responsible
n

Inter Agency Committee on Environmental

Health(IACEH-EO 489) resolve issues that need
several agencies interventions/actions
Composed of 7 Sectors

Solid Waste
Water
Air
Toxic and Hazardous Substances
Occupational Health
Food Safety
Sanitation

Agency Responsible
IACEH Composition
Chair: DOH
Co-Chair: DENR
Members: DOLE, DTI, DILG, DOST, DPWH,
NEDA, DOE, DA, DepEd, and PIA
n RIACEH (17 CHDs/Regions)
n NEHAP (same framework of IACEH)
n

Laws and Policies

n

Republic Act 6969 An Act to Control Toxic

Substances & Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes
DAO NO. 29 Implementing Rules and Regulations of
RA 6969
Regulate, restrict or prohibit the importation, manufacture,
processing, sale, distribution, use and disposal of chemical
substances and mixtures that present unreasonable risk
and/or injury to health or the environment.

Laws and Policies

n

DAO NO. 29 (IRR of RA 6969), Chapter IV,

Section 19
- Provides the need to compile and amend the
PCL and determine which chemical substances from
the inventory (PICCS) should be included.
- Require information for the purpose of assessing
the potential health and environmental risks
posed by the import, manufacture, transport and
use of regulated chemicals.
- Primary criteria for adding new chemicals in the priority
control list (PCL) : Persistence, Bioaccumulation
potential, toxicity and hazards potential

Laws and Policies

- Secondary criteria for adding new chemicals to PCL:

exposure potential, quantity of chemicals manufactured

and used.
n

DAO 2005-27 Revised Priority Chemicals List

- List of existing and new chemicals that DENR has
determined to potentially pose unreasonable risk to
public health, workplace and the environment.
- There are 48 chemicals listed on the PCL.

PRIORITY CHEMICAL LIST

Chemical Abstract
Services No.

Philippine Inventory of Chemicals and

Chemical Substances (PICCS) Name

Chemical Abstract Services (CAS)/

INDEX Name

108-90-7

1,4-CHLOROBENZENE

Benzene,chloro-

106-93-4

1,2-DIBROMOETHANE

Ethane,1,2-dibromo

95-50-1

0-DICHLOROBENZENE

Benzene,1,2-dichloro

106-46-7

1,4-DICHLOROBENZENE

Benzene,1,4-dichlro-

107-06-2

1,2-DICHLOROETHANE

Ethane, 1,2-dichloro-

122-66-7

1,2 DIPHENYLHYDRAZINE

Hydrazobenzene

108-46-3

3-HYDROXYPHENOL

1,3-Benzenediol

7647-18-9

ANTIMONY
PENTACHLORIDE

Antimony chloride

7440-38-2

ARSENIC COMPOUNDS

Arsenic

1332-21-4

ASBESTOS*

Asbestos

71-43-2

BENZENE

Benzene

7440-41-7

BERYLLIUM COMPOUNDS

Beryllium

7440-43-9

CADMIUM COMPOUNDS

Cadmium

56-23-5

CARBON TETRACHLORIDE**

General Name

CHLORINATED ETHERS

General Name

CHLOROFLUORO CARBONS**

67-66-3

CHLOROFORM

Trichloromethane

76-06-2

CHLOROPICRIN

Methane, trichloronitro

18540-29-9

CHROMIUM COMPOUNDS

Chromium

57-12-5

CYANIDE COMPOUNDS*

Cyanide

64-67-5

DIETHYL SULFATE

Sulfuric acid,diethyl ester

106-93-4

ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE

1,2 Dibromoethane

Laws and Policies

n

DAO 2000-02 Chemical Control Order for

Asbestos
Prohibits, limit, and regulate the use, manufacture,
import, export, transport, processing, storage,
possession, and wholesale of asbestos
Required to register with DENR and secure import
clearance
Submit annual report (production and management
information)

Laws and Policies

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Scope/Coverage of DAO 2000-02

Importers
Manufacturers
Transporters
Industrial Facility Owners/Operators & Contractors
Ship Builders
Waste Management Service Providers
Demolition Contractors (haulers, transporter, disposer)
Shipbreakers
Owner/Operator of a demolition or renovation activity

Laws and Policies

Allowable Uses of Asbestos under the Chemical
Control Order (CCO) are strictly limited to the
following high-density products:
fire-proof clothing
roofing felts or related products
asbestos cement roofing
asbestos cement flat sheet
friction materials
high temperature textile products
gaskets
mechanical packing materials
high-grade electrical paper
battery separators
other high density products

n Prohibited

Use of Asbestos

- Manufacture of Toys
- Manufacture of Pipes & Boiler Lagging
- Low Density Jointing Compounds
- Corrugated and Commercial Paper
- Untreated Textiles
- Flooring Felt and Covering
- Rollboards
- Specialty Paper
- Other Low Density Products

Laws and Policies

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DOLE Memorandum Circular No. 02 S. 1998

Section 4: Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Processes,
Activities or Operations.
(a) Classified the Manufacture or Handling of
Asbestos and Other Similar Products as
Hazardous Process.

Laws and Policies

q DOLE Recommended OSHS for Asbestos
Exposure Limits:
Only asbestos fibers greater than 5 um in length are
considered for the following exposure limits of the DOLE:
Current permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 2 fibers/cc of air
as time-weighted average (TWA) concentration over an 8
hour work shift with an action level of 1 fiber/cc
The current PEL is now being reviewed by an Inter-Agency
Technical Committee created by DOLE

The Philippine Code of Practice for Asbestos (2008)

1. Management and Control on the Use, Handling, Transport and
Disposal of Asbestos in the Workplace
2. Initial Agreement Set on Total Ban of Chrysotile Asbestos on
2018
3. Annual Medical Surveillance and Inspections of workplaces will
be strictly implemented starting 2010-2018 and data to be
gathered shall be the basis for the total ban of Chrysotile
Asbestos by 2018

OBJECTIVES OF THE CODE OF

PRACTICE (CP) FOR ASBESTOS
1) Develop and provide practical guidance & information for proper
dismantling, transport & disposal of Asbestos containing
material (ACM) for use of concerned industrial owners and
related sector, workers, environmental authority, occupational
safety and health professionals and the general public.
2) Support and complement the preventive and mitigation measures
to minimize if not avoid potential exposures risks and health
related-diseases of asbestos to workers.
3) Strengthen the enforcement of the CCO for Asbestos under DAO
2000-02 of Republic Act 6969 of the Toxic Substances and
Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act; Book IV of the Labor
Standards: PD 856 (Sanitation Code of the Philippines) and its
Implementing Rules and Regulations.

CP - Areas of Concerns
Recommended General Asbestos Safety
Program in the Workplace
Procedures on Dismantling and Removal
of Asbestos
Procedures on Transport and Disposal of
Asbestos Waste
Procedures on Post Dismantling
Activities

Other Relevant Policies

q National Eco-Labeling Program Seal of

Green Choice (Philippines)

q Green Building Initiative
q Green Procurement

Present Initiatives and Activities

Poison Control & Information Centers

UP-NPMCC

EAMC-PCC

BRH-PCC
RMC-PCC

ZRHMC-PCC

EVRMC-PCC

Asbestos Information Desk

Provides information
to workers on the
hazards of asbestos,
its illill-effects and
prevention
Serves as referral
hospital for ARD

Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP

National Program on the Elimination of

Asbestos Related Disease (NPEAD)
n

Dev. of Institutional Framework for NPEAD

formulate mandates relevant to the elimination of
ARD
supervise the development, implementation and
evaluation of the NPEAD

Dev. of the National Asbestos Profile

Serve as valuable instrument in the preparation of
NPEAD
Provides baseline information regarding the
magnitude of ARD, the amount of asbestos
consumed and population at risk

National Program on the Elimination of

Asbestos Related Disease (NPEAD)
n

Review and Dev. of Legislations, Regulations and

Guidelines Relevant to the Elimination of ARD
Formulate a legal instrument and its IRR to phasephase-out
asbestos used
Provide technical and legal guidance in the ratification of
related ILO standards
Review and recommend amendments to National Building
Code of the Philippines including local permits issued by LGU
for the construction of infrastructures
Review and recommend amendments to ECC law pertaining to
prescription period in filing for workwork-related diseases to
provide exemptions for specific for Occ. cancers and ARD

Advocacy and Information Dissemination

Personal Protective Equipment

Hard Hat

Coverall / Overall

Safety Goggles

Apron

Face Mask

Rubber Boots

Heavy-duty
Gloves

Ear Muffs

No PPE, No Work Policy

2011 Training
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Effective X-ray Readings of Asbestos Related Diseases

for Medical Radiologists(mesothelioma/asbestosis)
Training of Safety Officers and Pollution Control Officers
on recognition of ACM
Training of occupational health nurses of the common
symptoms and signs of ARD for referral purposes
Training of Asbestos Handlers/Removers on proper
methods and procedures of dismantling asbestos
materials and its final disposal (continuing activity)
OH Module on Recognition, Management and
Prevention of Lung Disease: Pneumoconiosis including
ARDs (Part I)

Approval of the New House Bills (479 and 896) An Act

banning the Importation, Manufacture, Processing, Use and
Distribution in Commerce of Asbestos and Asbestos
Containing Products.
Industry realization of the ill-effects of continuous
manufacturing and used of asbestos containing
materials/products.
Distinction of asbestos related diseases (mesothelioma and
asbestosis) from the existing list of cancer cases in the
Philippine Cancer Registry.
Realization of the GOP commitment as has been written in the
draft Code of Practice on Asbestos to finally ban Chrysotile
Asbestos in 2018.
Establishments of treatment facilities and landfills for the final
disposal of asbestos wastes

Final Target:
Asbestos Free Philippines!