Asbestos. Not here. Not anywhere.

We know asbestos kills. In some countries asbestos is still mined, manufactured and used. Everyday thousands of people are still exposed to deadly asbestos. While some people profit, other people die.

The World Health Organisation says the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos.

As long as Asbestos is being used anywhere, it remains a risk, everywhere.

In 2016 Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA is continuing and expanding our work to support campaigns and projects working toward Asbestos bans in Asia.

South East Asia is a dumping ground for asbestos – levels of awareness and progress toward eradication vary country-to-country. Asbestos is used in making machinery like brake pads and in fire retardant fabrics. Mostly, asbestos is used in roofing tiles and other construction and building materials, largely, for local markets.

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA has, for a number of years, supported trade unions and NGOs in Vietnam and Cambodia – who despite concerted lobbying from the Asbestos industry – have made significant gains in their path to eradication. But, the work is far from done. Not here. Not anywhere.

In 2016 illegally imported asbestos was found on more than fifty construction sites across Australia. In November 2015, asbestos was discovered in flooring material in an imported work-site switch room here in Australia and in September 2015 imported children’s crayons were found to have traces of Asbestos. Peter Tighe from the Asbestos Eradication Agency says this is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg.

In 2016, Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA will continue our work in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam and we will extend our work to Indonesia and other countries as opportunities arise.

You can watch this short video about the situation in Indonesia:

If you are not yet an APHEDA member please join to help us stay independent, strong and effective – and to support us to support the campaigns across South East Asia to eradicate asbestos – and continue all our important work.