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Saturday 20, November, 2004 13:30 - 15:30, No.2 Conference Room Workshop E Epidemiology and Public Health Chairs: Gunnar Hillerdal and Kohki Inai Zulmiar Yanri Department of Manpower and Transmigration, Republic of Indonesia ABSTRACT Indonesia is the fourth largest population in the world: 216 million in 2002. As developing country with big population, Indonesia become a potential market for hazardous chemicals and also relocation of hazardous chemical industries. Chrysotile asbestos is still largely used in Indonesia for building materials (roof, ceiling, flat sheet board, corn block), heat insulation, brake system: lining and pad and many other products, which consume more than 60 metric tons annually (FICMA, 2004). Until now government of Indonesia ban only crocidolite use (Government Regulation No. 74 of 2001, MOMT Decree No 3 of 1985), and allow only chrysotile to be imported. During period of 2001 - 2003 total amount of imported chrysotile had decreased slightly, however it may increased in 2004 (FICMA, 2004). Reported cases or surveillance of asbestos related diseases in Indonesia could not able to differentiate the kind of asbestos as their causes (Indonesian NOSHC, Yunus F). On the other hand, many studies on chrysotile asbestos showed that chrysotile has lower biopersistence than other kinds of asbestos, hence it has also lower toxicity; it is still debatable whether the use of chrysotile is safe and healthy for workers and environment. Recent UNEP and FAO meeting held in Geneva in September 2004 concerning Rotterdam Convention, the inclusion of chrysotile into PIC procedure was postponed due to insufficient data on impacts of chrysotile to health and environment, and most important "economic reason of its usage" (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.1/15, Sept 2004). The meeting also noted that economic and trade reasons are not justified consideration for inclusion of hazardous chemicals into PIC procedure. Therefore Indonesia is looking forward to participating actively in concerted actions against asbestos risks and their transfer to the developing world through global initiatives. |