Use of asbestos building materials in

Malaysia: legislative measures, the

management, and recommendations for a ban
on use
Irina Safitri Zen1, Rahmalan Ahamad2, Krishna Gopal Rampal3, Wahid Omar2
1
Centre for Innovative Planning and Development (CIPD), Sustainability Research Alliance, Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru, Malaysia, 2Sustainability Research Alliance, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM),
Johor Bahru, Malaysia, 3Perdana University Graduate School of Medicine, Serdang, Malaysia

Malaysia has partially banned the use of asbestos. The prohibition of asbestos building materials in
schools, clinics, and hospitals built by government started in 1999. Since 2005, prohibition has also been
applied to all government buildings. However, asbestos construction materials such as roof and ceiling tiles
are still sold in the market. There are no acts or regulations prohibiting the use of asbestos in private
buildings in Malaysia. Asbestos was first used for industrial purposes in Malaysia in the 1960s and the first
regulations related to asbestos have been around since the 1980s. Non-governmental organizations have
been pushing the government to impose a total ban since the 1980s. Asbestos is still used in the
manufacturing sector under the ‘‘control use’’ concept. The study found difficulties in established and
validated medical record data on asbestos-related diseases. This paper reviews existing asbestos-related
regulations and guidelines in Malaysia and discusses the urgency for a total ban in the use of asbestos in
building materials in the country. In the meanwhile, stricter enforcement of occupational safety and health
regulations related to the use and exposure of asbestos among workers in the manufacturing, construction,
maintenance, and demolition sectors has been in place.
Keywords: Asbestos, Regulations, Asbestos building materials, Asbestos-related disease (ARD), Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), Occupational
safety and health (OSH), Supply chain

Introduction workers and the residents in the buildings with

The first asbestos factory in Malaysia started its
operations in 1963 as a joint venture with Japanese
and Australian companies. The main asbestos indus-
try was confined to manufacturing asbestos products
such as asbestos roofing sheets, asbestos cement (AC)
pipes, friction materials, and gaskets. Pipe manufacture
involved significant occupational exposure to crocido-
lite until 1975 and amosite until 1983.1 The first effort
to manage the impact of asbestos on workers was a
partial ban prohibiting the use of blue asbestos or
crocidolite in 1986 and promoting the ‘‘safe use’’ of
other types [Factories and Machinery (Asbestos
Process) Regulations 1986]. In 1986, the industry
employed about 2000 workers.2 The number of work-
ers increased to 2136 with 91% exposing to chrysotile in
2011.3 Asbestos use affects not only workers directly
employed by the industry, but also maintenance
Correspondence to: Irina Safitri Zen, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Office
of Asset and Development, Sustainability Unit, 81310 Johor Bahru,
Malaysia. Email: irinasafitri@utm.my
asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).4 Malaysia has
not ratified the ILO Convention No. 162 (C162)
concerning safety in the use of asbestos that calls for
a global ban on all types of asbestos.5
Data on the numbers of asbestos-related diseases
(ARDs) in Malaysia are limited. The first attempt to
identify the health effect of asbestos on factory
workers examined medical surveillance data on 1000
AC workers from 1995 to 1997. Only two cases of
asbestosis and one case of bronchial cancer were
found.6 According to the Ministry of Health’s
Occupational Health Admission Report for 1999–
2003, there were 21 cases of mesothelioma (ICD C45)
reported during that period. The same report recorded
a total of 8353 cases of malignant neoplasm of
bronchus and lung (ICD C34), representing 42.8% of
occupational cancer reported.7 Further, no mesothe-
lioma or asbestosis cases were reported in the Malaysia
National Cancer Registry (MNCR) from 2003 to
2005,6 but there were five mesothelioma cases reported

ß W. S. Maney & Son Ltd 2013

DOI 10.1179/2049396713Y.0000000028 International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health 2013 VOL . 19 NO . 3 169
Zen et al. Use of asbestos building materials in Malaysia
in the MNCR 2007.8 The long latency period
(30 years) before the appearance of ARDs9 means that
the full burden of ARDs will become apparent around
2010–2020, as predicted by Takahashi.10 However,
official records on ARDs are limited. Inadequate
epidemiological data on ARDs have resulted in the
perception that the impact of asbestos on workers in
Malaysia is minimal.
Establishing comprehensive medical records of
ARD cases represents a major challenge in develop-
ing the policy framework for the total ban of asbestos
in Malaysia as proposed by the Malaysian Trade
Union Congress (MTUC) since the 1980s.11 One of
the major obstacles is the insufficient numbers of
specialist doctors trained in ARD diagnosis and
treatment.3,7,11,12 Difficulties in early detection of
pulmonary malignancy related to asbestos are com-
mon in many countries.13
Sato has published on asbestos policy analysis and
politics in Japan.14 In the UK, research and activism
have resulted in the development of the industrial
hygiene standard setting for asbestos to determine the
acceptable risk.15 Unfortunately, most of the OSH
research in developing countries is still lagging behind
due to economic, social, and political challenges.16
Given the current situation in Malaysia, we take a
non-traditional approach to identifying the current
uses of asbestos, especially asbestos building materials,
in this country. We used a supply chain framework
analysis to identify the gaps in legislative measures
such as policy, laws, regulations, and guidelines
associated with the use of asbestos and ACMs in
construction.
Methods
The analysis involves examining several stages in the
supply chain from the import, production, and
consumption (construction and ACM use in build-
ing) to removal and disposal. The approach that is
commonly referred to as supply chain management
has been applied in various industries, management
processes, and structural organizations.17,18
We first examined documents pertaining to legis-
lative measures on asbestos by identifying the
relevant government agencies, including: Public
Works or Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) Head Quarters
and several state JKR offices, Department of
Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment, the Department of Safety and Health,
Ministry of Human Resources, Ministry of Health,
Royal Customs Department (Kastam Di Raja
Malaysia), and Ministry of Higher Education.
Document review was supported by semi-structured
interviews19 with various government agencies as
stated above and other relevant stakeholder such as
NIOHS (National Institute of Occupational Health
170 International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
and Safety), CIDB (Construction Industry Deve-
lopment Board), SIRIM Berhad (Standard and
Industrial Research Institute), Architect Association
Malaysia (PAM, Persatuan Arkitek Malaysia), and
Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Malaysia (IQSM).
Similar interviews were also conducted with non-
governmental organizations including the MTUC,
Building Workers International (BWI), Asia Pacific
Regional Office, and the International Federation of
Metallurgy Workers.
Data on asbestos imports were acquired from the
Statistics Department of Malaysia and database of
MATRADE (Malaysian External Trade Develop-
ment Corporation).
Result and Discussion
Legislative measures on the use of asbestos
A summary of our supply chain framework analysis
of legislative measures is presented in Fig. 1. An
explanation of the legislative measures in each stage
of the supply chain is given in Table 1.
Import stage and the asbestos industry in
Malaysia
Malaysia is not an asbestos producing country. Since
2000, raw asbestos mineral has been imported using
the Harmonized System of Coding (HS Code). The
import quantity from year 2000 to 2007 is shown in
Fig. 2.20 During that period, an annual average of
11 708 metric tons and a total of 93 664 metric tons
were imported for industrial use. From that amount,
the top four exporting countries were Canada
(6271.524 metric tons), Brazil (4805.581 metric tons),
Russia (942.023 metric tons), and South Africa
(338.512 metric tons). The import quantity decreased
from 2000 to 2007. The import quantity suggests that
ARDs may be underreported in Malaysia. Only 26
cases of ARDs were reported from 1999 to 2005.6,8 In
comparison, Croatia imported 4000 metric tons of
asbestos minerals annually from 1995 to 2001 with
317 of ARDs reported from 1990 to 2000.21
There are four documents related to asbestos at the
import stage (Table 1). The first two documents
prohibit importation of hazardous chemical materials22
including a prohibition on importing crocidolite
asbestos used for any purpose except research and
analytical activity.23 The asbestos mineral prohibition
does not cover other types of asbestos (actinolite,
anthophyllite, amosite, tremolite, and chyrsotile).
Import licenses for the toxic and hazardous waste
materials are issued by the Director General of
Environmental Department.
The third and fourth documents address the safety
and health of workers who handle (use, store, and
transport) asbestos minerals in the workplace. The
OSH (Classification, Packaging, and Labeling of
Hazardous Chemicals) (CPL) Regulations of 199724
2013 VOL . 19 NO . 3
 Zen et al. Use of asbestos building materials in Malaysia

Figure 1 Supply chain of asbestos building material-related laws and regulations in Malaysia.

International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health 2013 VOL . 19 NO . 3 171

Zen et al. Use of asbestos building materials in Malaysia
Table 1 Legislative measures related to the use of asbestos and ACMs in Malaysia
Act, regulations, and guidelines,
Stage in supply with Department primarily
chain responsible for implementation
Import of Customs Duties Order 1996 Royal
asbestos mineral Malaysian Customs Department
OSH Classification, Packaging and
Labeling (CPL) of Hazardous
Chemicals Regulations 1997
Department of Occupational
Safety Health
OSH (Prohibition of Use of Substance)
Order 1999 Department of
Occupational Safety Health
OSH Use and Standard of Exposure
to Chemicals Hazardous to
Health Regulation (USECHH) 2000)
Department of Occupational
Safety Health.
Production stage Occupational Safety and
of asbestos-containing Health Act 1994 (Act 514)
building material
Factories and Machinery (Asbestos
Process) Regulations 1986,
under Factories and Machinery
Act 1967 (Act 139)
Factories and Machinery Act 1967
(Building Operations and Works
of Engineering Construction)
(Safety) Regulation 1986.
172 International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health 2013
Explanation
Prohibits the import of hazardous chemical
materials (including crocidolite asbestos)
except if there is an import license or
permit from related authority.
Asbestos classified as a carcinogen under
Schedule II of OSH CPL Hazardous
Regulations 1997.
Provides the legal framework for classification,
packaging, and labeling for hazardous
chemicals including Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS/CSDS).
Prohibits all uses of crocidolite except for
research and analytical purposes.
Provides the legal framework for managing
chemical hazard to worker health.
Promotes the management of chemical
substances hazardous to the worker’s
health and the establishment of a safe and
healthy workplace environment.
Consists of four regulations as follows:
1. Use and Standard of Exposure to
Chemicals Hazardous to Health Regulation
(USECHH) 2000.
2. Prohibition of Use of Substance Order
1999, prohibits import of crocidolite used for
any purpose except for research and analytical activity.
3. Notification of Accident, Dangerous Occurrence,
Occupational Poisoning and Occupational
Disease Regulations (NADOPOD) 2004.
4. Classification, Packaging and Labeling
(CPL) of Hazardous Chemicals Regulations 1997.
Prohibits the use of crocidolite asbestos and
controls the use of chrysotile and other types of
asbestos minerals.
The controlled use of asbestos is permitted via
a PEL of 0.1 fiber/ml, 8 hours time-weighted
average (TWA) for all types of asbestos except
crocidolite.
Gazetted at 1 October 1986 was an act under
FMA 1967 which covers building operations and
works of engineering construction.
The provisions of FMA 1986 are supposed to be
an addition to and not substitution or lessening
any requirements enforced by or under the FMA
1967.
The definition of ‘‘building operations’’ covers
construction, structural alteration, repair, or
maintenance of a building (including repainting,
redecoration, and external cleaning of the
structure), the demolition of a building, and the
preparation for and the laying of the foundation
of an intended building, but does not include any
operation which is the work of engineering
construction within the meaning of this Act
An inspector may require workers to be medically
examined on the disease notified under the third
schedule that includes asbestosis-inhalation of
asbestos dust or fibers.
VOL . 19 NO . 3

Table 1 Continued
Stage in supply
chain
Development and
consumption stage
Demolition of buildings
which contain asbestos and
disposal of building material
Act, regulations, and guidelines,
with Department primarily
responsible for implementation
Uniform Building By Law (UBBL) 1984
under Street, Drainage and Building
Act 1974 (Act 133) Ministry of Housing
and Local Government
National Standard for Building
Material produces by SIRIM
Standard and Industrial Research
Institute of Malaysia
Standard Specification For Building
Works 2005 or JKR Spec. 2005
Department of Works, Ministry of Works
Guidelines for Public Safety and
Health in Development Site 2007
Guidelines for Construction of Workers
Housing. Kuala Lumpur City Hall Town
Planning Committee, 1993.
Guidelines for Additional Small
Development in front part of Terrace
House Kuala Lumpur City Hall
Environmental Quality (Clean Air)
(Amendment) Regulations,2000
Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment.
Occupational Safety and Health Act
1994 (Act 514) Department of
Occupational Safety and Health,
Ministry of Human Resources.
Factories and Machinery Act 1967
(Building Operations and Works
of Engineering Construction)
(Safety) Regulation 1986.
Environmental Quality (Scheduled
Waste) Regulations 2005 Ministry
of Natural Resources and Environment.
Environmental Quality (Clean Air)
(Amendment) Regulations 2000.
International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
Zen et al. Use of asbestos building materials in Malaysia
Explanation
The controlled use of asbestos is permitted via a
PEL of 0.1 fiber/ml, 8 hours TWA for all types of
asbestos except crocidolite.
Regulates the usage of asbestos in building
materials. Thickness of asbestos cement
included in Material Weight By Law 56 (Fourth
Schedule).
Asbestos cement sheets and asbestos cement have
been required by law for fire safety purposes.
Three standards have been abandoned since 2005.
The three standards are:
MS 524: 1984 (Specifications for symmetry asbestos
cement corrugated sheet).
MS 623: 1981 (Specifications for asbestos
corrugated cement flat sheet semi-solid).
MS 1087 : 1987 (Code of practice for placement
and test-field pressure of asbestos
cement pipes)
Asbestos-containing building materials not to be
used in construction of government buildings.
Prohibition since 1999 for school buildings, health
clinics, and hospitals.
Guidelines for safe handling of asbestos issued by
the Department of Occupational Safety and Health.
Prohibits the use of asbestos building material in
construction of workers’ housing.
Prohibits the use of asbestos sheet and
zinc for roofs of terrace houses in Kuala Lumpur.
In construction areas, any facility discharging asbestos
dust shall not exceed standards.
Standard A50.4 gm/Nm3
Standard B50.2 gm/Nm3.
Standard C50.12 gm/Nm3
The act covers safety and health of all workers and all
persons at place of work including demolition.
The regulations control factories with respect to matters
relating to the safety, health, and welfare of person
therein, the registration and inspection of machinery
and for matters connected therewith.
The definition of ‘‘building operations’’ covers
construction, structural alteration, repair, or maintenance
of a building (including repainting, redecoration, and
external cleaning of the structure), the demolition of a
building, and the preparation for and the laying of the
foundation of an intended building, but does not include
any operation which is the work of engineering
construction within the meaning of this Act
The controlled use of asbestos via a PEL of 0.1 fiber/ml,
8 hours TWA for all types of asbestos except
crocidolite are applied.
Covers asbestos waste in the form of sludge, debris
or dust generated from factory activity or building
demolition.
Any demolition works discharging asbestos dust shall
not exceed one of the standards listed bellow :
Standard A50.4 gm/Nm3
Standard B50.2 gm/Nm3
Standard C50.12 gm/Nm3
2013 VOL . 19 NO . 3 173
Zen et al. Use of asbestos building materials in Malaysia
Table 1 Continued
Act, regulations, and guidelines,
Stage in supply with Department primarily
chain responsible for implementation
Code of Practice for Building Operator
(Malaysian Standard/MS 282:
Part 1, 1975) under Standards of
Malaysia Act 1996 [Act 549].
Code of Practice: Demolition of
Building (Malaysian Standard/MS
2318 (P) 2010) under Standards of
Malaysia Act 1996 [Act 549].
regulate the packaging of asbestos raw material, and
the Use and Standard of Exposure of Chemicals
Hazardous to Health Regulation of 200025 governs
exposure (Table 1 and Fig. 1). The objectives of the
regulations are (1) to prevent the occurrence of
occupational diseases, poisoning or adverse health
effects from the use of hazardous chemicals at the
place of work; (2) to provide a minimum standard on
the safe use of chemicals hazardous to health at the
workplace, and (3) to stipulate the maximum allow-
able exposure standard for occupationally exposed
personnel.
Under the Schedule II of OSH-CPL Regulations of
1997, asbestos is classified as carcinogenic. Under the
OSH-USECHH Regulations of 2000, there is a
mandatory duty to perform an assessment of health
risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Such
assessment can only be conducted by a competent
assessor registered with the Department of Occupa-
tional Safety and Health and is referred to as Chemical
Health Risk Assessment (CHRA). The permissible
exposure limit (PEL) for all types of asbestos (except
crocidolite) is 0.1 fiber/millimeter (fiber/ml). Employers
must establish control measures to prevent exposure
exceeding the PEL, provide information, instruction,
and health surveillance program, and keep records of
hazardous chemicals stored.
Production stage
At the production stage, there are several regulations
controling asbestos exposure, as part of the
174 International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health 2013
Explanation
Did not contain regulations regarding demolition of
buildings with ACMs; revoked l July 2012 under
subsection 15(1)
The contractor must prepare a
Safety and Health Plan for every
building demolition project that
stated the health risk aspect of
removal, cleaned, and disposes of
asbestos-containing materials from
the building demolished according to the statutory
requirements [Refer to Environmental
Quality (Scheduled Waste) Regulations 2005].
For removal of asbestos-containing material,
it was stated that ‘‘Samples are to be
taken and tested for asbestos containing
material. In the case when ACMs
are discovered, such material must be carefully
removed from the site by licensed contractor
registered under Department of Environment.
The asbestos waste should be handled,
stored and disposed of as chemical waste.’’
The safety and health of the
workers during the constructions refers
to the Factories and Machinery Act 1967
(Building Operations and Works of Engineering
Construction) (Safety) Regulation 1986.
Occupational Safety and Healthy Act (OSHA)
1994.26 OSHA was enacted to ensure the safety and
health of all workers and persons at the place of work
except for those in the Armed Forces and in merchant
shipping. The concept behind OSHA 1994 is to
promote self-regulation,27 as it places responsibility
for safety and health of the workers for those who
created the hazards and those who work with them.
The four regulations under OSHA 1994 that relate
to asbestos are Use and Standards of Exposure of
Chemicals Hazardous to Health (USECHH) Regu-
lation of 2000; Classification, Packaging, and Label-
ing (CPL) of Hazardous Chemicals Regulations of
1997; Notification of Accident, Dangerous Occurrence,
Occupational Poisoning, and Occupational Disease
(NADOPOD) Regulations of 2004;28 and the Pro-
hibition of Use Substance Order of 1999. The first two
regulations have been explained in the import stage, but
also apply to the production stage due to the numerous
handling, labeling, transporting, and manufacturing
activities involving exposure to asbestos materials
during the production process. The third regulation,
NADOPOD Regulations of 2004 requires the notifica-
tion of ARDs to the Department of Occupational
Safety and Health (DOSH) by both the employers
and medical practitioners. The fourth regulation,
Prohibition of Use Substance Order of 1999 was ex-
plained in the Import Stage (Table 1).
The Factory and Machinery Regulations of 1986,29
which were imposed 26 years after the first asbestos
VOL . 19 NO . 3

Figure 2 The quantity of asbestos import in Malaysia during
2000–2007.
factory started operation, regulate the ‘‘controlled
use’’ of asbestos via a PEL of 0.1 fiber/ml, 8 hours
TMA for all types of asbestos except crocidolite. In
addition, the regulation requires the medical surveil-
lance of the workers and keeps the workers’ medical
historical report in the factory for at least 20 years. It
also prohibits smoking in the asbestos processing
area. The regulation requires training on its provi-
sions regarding occupational hazards awareness for
workers.
Consumption stage: construction and users
At this stage, the use of asbestos during the planning
and construction involves various stakeholders such
as architects, engineers, contractors, and building
surveyors (Box B, Fig. 1). Construction workers
would be the first to get exposed to the asbestos dust
during work.
The Factories and Machinery Act 1967 (Building
Operations and Works of Engineering Construction)
(Safety) Regulation 198630 covers the building opera-
tions such as construction, structural alteration,
repair, or maintenance of a building (including re-
painting, redecoration, and external cleaning of the
structure). It is subject to the Controlled Use of
asbestos under the Factory and Machinery Regula-
tions of 1986. The controlled use of asbestos via a PEL
of 0.1 fiber/ml, 8 hours TWA for all types of asbestos
except crocidolite is applied.
Though asbestos building material is still profitable
in the market, a ban on its use in government schools
and clinics/hospitals was implemented in 1999. The
prohibition was extended to all government building
projects in 2005.31 The JKR Specification (2005)
requires the use of asbestos-free building material but
does not support with specific regulations on the
prohibition. The Public Works Department has been
distributing circulars to other relevant government
agencies (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Works
International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
Zen et al. Use of asbestos building materials in Malaysia
and Ministry of Health) and stakeholders (e.g. PAM,
IQSM, NIOSH, and CIDB) who are involved in
government construction projects. While the circular
prohibits the use of ACMs in government building
projects, the Uniform Building By Law (UBBL) of
198432 states that asbestos cement must be used for
firefighting purposes in public buildings. This needs
to be amended in order to be coherent with the JKR
Specifications of 2005. Another document, National
Standard for Building Material produced by SIRIM,
recently revoked three specification standards related
to ACMs (see Table 1). Some local authorities’
guidelines support the ban in ACMs for the devel-
opment or construction purposes. Asbestos dust
exposure during construction is regulated by the
Environmental Quality (Clean Air) Regulations
200033,34 (see Table 1).
Though various forms of ban have been imple-
mented on the use of ACMs, as yet there is no data
on the percentage of buildings with ACMs. Asbestos
roofs are common in low-income houses in villages,
government quarters, and factories.35,36 Although it
is difficult to find asbestos roofs in the modern
residential houses, asbestos ceilings are still available
on the market.37 Various studies have shown a
potential link between continuous asbestos exposure
at low concentration in public buildings and schools
and an increased incidence of lung cancer.38–44
Demolition and waste disposal stage
There is no current prohibition of asbestos use in
private buildings, and as stated above, the ban on
asbestos use in government buildings only started in
2005. Therefore, ACMs construction wastes such as
AC pipes, ceramics, roofs, and tiles are not only
generated from removal and demolition of private
buildings but also from government buildings built
before 2005. Asbestos waste amounted to 143.01 t/
year or 0.01% of all scheduled wastes in 2008.45 The
process of replacing the asbestos sheets in the schools,
clinics, and old government building comes under the
Factories and Machinery Act 1967 (Building
Operations and Works of Engineering Construction)
(Safety) Regulation 1986. These works need to be
highlighted.
The safety and health of demolition workers is
covered under the the Factories and Machinery Act
1967 (Building Operations and Works of Engineering
Construction) (Safety) Regulation 1986,29 Standards
of Malaysia Act 1996 [Act 549],46 Code of Practice
for Building Demolition (Malaysian Standard/MS
2318: 2012)47 for Building Demolition required con-
tractors to prepare safety and health plan for removal
and demolition of ACM-containing buildings.32,47,48
Two regulations under the Environmental Quality
Act (EQA) (Act 127) 1974;52 Environmental Quality
2013 VOL . 19 NO . 3 175
Zen et al. Use of asbestos building materials in Malaysia
(Clean Air) (Amendment) Regulations 200032 and the
Scheduled Waste Regulations of 200549 (Table 1 and
Fig. 1) cover asbestos waste and dust discharge into
the air from all sources including demolition work.
Another source of ACMs waste is from the re-
placement of AC pipes used extensively in the
public water supply. AC pipes run about 45 746 km
or 50% of the length of water pipes (91 247 km) in
Malaysia.50 The replacement of AC pipes in dry
conditions led to exposure of workers to asbestos
dust released in the process. This work has regula-
ted under the Factories and Machinery Act 1967
(Building Operations and Works of Engineering
Construction) (Safety) Regulation 1986,29 Environ-
mental Regulations (Clean Air) (Amendment) Re-
gulations 2000,32 and subject to new Code of Practice
for Building Demolition (MS 2318: 2012).47
Interim recommendations in advance of a ban
ACMs are still being used widely in Malaysian
buildings, especially in rural areas, despite the fact
that their use has been prohibited in schools and
hospitals/clinics beginning in 1999 and in all govern-
ment building projects since 2005. While a ban is
necessary to adequately control future exposures,
interim measures may be taken to protect the public
health while working toward a ban. These include the
urgency of a nationwide asbestos building survey to
determine the profile and status of ACM in existing
construction. Hence, the following measures should
be taken while working toward a ban:
1. Cooperation among related government agencies:
various Malaysian government agencies are
involved in OSH, including DOSH, Ministry of
Human Resources, Department of Public Health
(DPH), Ministry of Health, National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and
Ministry of International Trade and Industry
(MITI). These agencies should respond to the
earlier efforts from the Department of Works,
Ministry of Works. There is a need for collabora-
tive efforts across several policy domains, including
public health, industry, commerce and trade, and
environment.51
2. Taxation on chrysotile: The tax free import of
chrysotile by manufacturers who produce asbestos
roofing results in cheaper but hazardous building
products in Malaysia. These products are used for
low-cost housing, placing those in the lower-income
groups at a greater risk. The introduction of a tax on
chrysotile would help in discouraging the use of
asbestos-based products and encourage the use of
asbestos-free substitutes until a total ban of asbestos
is in place.12
3. Prohibition of asbestos use in buildings: Although
ACM materials have not been used in schools,
clinics, and hospitals since 1999 and in all govern-
ment buildings since 2005, this prohibition needs to
be extended to all buildings.
4. Regulations for managing ACMs in existing
buildings: Another important issue is managing
176 International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
asbestos in existing buildings and new private
buildings. Currently, the Factories and Machinery
Act 1967 (Building Operations and Works of
Engineering Construction) (Safety) Regulation
198629 regulates the safety and health of the
workers exposed to ACMs during their works by
using the definition of Control Use of asbestos in
the factories. This definition needs to be redefined
by taking into account the various types of
maintenance works.
5. Amendments to the Uniform Building By-Laws
(UBBLs) under the Building, Street and Drainage
Act: The UBBLs still contain an option for the use
of ACM in private buildings. For the safety and
health of the occupants and maintenance workers
in these buildings, priority should be given to ban
asbestos in existing buildings by amending this
Act.
Conclusion
The supply chain approach applied in this study
succeeded in identifying the current status and the
regulatory gaps related to the use of asbestos in
buildings. Initiatives from the Malaysian government
in banning ACMs in construction development
display a serious commitment to public health.
However, the material remains available in public
markets, especially in suburban and rural areas. In
further, the specific concern on the public health and
the workers needs to emphasize on the tight definition
of control use of asbestos for various types of
maintenance work.
Managing the risk of asbestos will not be a
straightforward chore due to the long latency period
of ARDs and the cooperation required across
government agencies in order to develop comprehen-
sive regulatory frameworks.
It is time for a total ban of asbestos in Malaysia.
This call is not new and has been reiterated by
various stakeholders for many years. A total ban on
asbestos will not entail a high cost to Malaysia. It has
already substantially reduced the import of asbestos,
and use of ACMs in government building construc-
tion has been gradually phased out. The medical cost
and treatment of the workers would burden the
country in the long run. This study provides a
framework for a total ban on asbestos in Malaysia
that has taken too long at the expense of the health of
the Malaysian workforce and the public.
Discloure
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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