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Friday 19, November, 2004, 12:30-18:30, (16:00-17:00, Q&A) No.3 CR Saturday 20, November, 2004, 09:30-18:30, (16:00-17:00, Q&A) No.3 CR Sunday 21, November, 2004, 09:30-12:30, No.3 CR Poster Sessions Current Status of Using Asbestos in The Roofing Sheet Factories of Vietnam Nguyen Ba Toai Civil Engineering, Hanoi University, Vietnamd ABSTRACT In Vietnam, chrysotile asbestos is being used in manufacturing of roofing, friction products, thermal insulation and fire protection clothes. More than 90 percent chrysotile is used in whole of the asbestos cement roofing sheet factories (about 35). Their output capacity is approximately 60 million square metre per year. Although not dangerous like crocidolite and amosite, chrysotile is cause pneumoconiosis and lung cancer. In the asbestos-cement roofing sheet factories, there are many pollution materials, but chrysotile dust is most dangerous. Existing situation of chrysotile dust is clearer with the environmental measuring implemented by national mission team during the end 2002. The main reasons of air pollution are explained: open processing line, dry grinding, lacking of pollution protection systems and lacking of knowledge on safety and environmental protection. The result of national examination of occupational diseases concerning asbestos for workers in 10 factories is then presented. 1032 workers were screened for asbestos-related lung diseases by chest X-ray. After that, the author gives illustration of some efforts contributing to the necessary action to reduce pollution in all asbestos cement factories and to the research on asbestos replacement in Vietnam. At the end, the author would like to recommend options to prevent existing pollution to protect labor health and ensure sustainable development of asbestos cement roofing sheet factories during chrysotile is being replaced with uncontaminated materials. |