Chemical name: Chrysotile asbestos

Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Industrial

Final regulatory action: The chemical is Severely Restricted

Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action:

All use, processing or manufacturing, of asbestos or asbestos- containing product(s) other than the use or processing or manufacturing of an "identified product". An "Identified product" is defined as heat and arc resistant electrical insulation boards, acetylene gas cylinders, gaskets, seals & insulation materials which contain asbestos.

Use or uses that remain allowed:

The manufacture, distribution or import of "identified products" as defined above. The transit of asbestos fibre through South Africa to other countries without repackaging, the import of asbestos for research purposes other than research to develop another asbestos product and the import of asbestos waste from SADC countries for safe disposal in South Africa. These uses and imports are allowed only under specific conditions which include: in all cases registration with the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). In the case of uses, the submission of an asbestos phase out plan and an annual audit report to be compiled by an independent auditor. In the case of research or transit through the country, the submission of an annual audit report.

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: Yes

Summary of the final regulatory action:

The regulatory action in South Africa prohibits or allows the following activities with respect to asbestos:

1. Prohibits the use, processing or manufacturing of asbestos or asbestos containing product(s) other than for use in the processing or manufacturing of "identified products", and then subject to specific conditions which include registration with the Minister and the submission of an Asbestos Phase Out Plan for approval of the Minister. An "identified product" means heat & arc resistant electrical insulation boards, acetylene gas cylinders, gaskets, seals & insulation materials which contain asbestos.

2. Prohibits the import or export of any asbestos/ asbestos-containing product other than for transit purposes with certain restrictions including that no repackaging of the asbestos takes place in South Africa.

3. Prohibits the import of asbestos / asbestos-containing waste materials other than from South African Development Community (SADC) countries with certain restrictions, including that the disposal be undertaken in terms of the provisions of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act of 2008 (Act 59 of 2008) and subject to the provisions of the Basel Convention.

4. Import of asbestos/ asbestos-containing material for research will be allowed only if the research will not produce new asbestos-containing products.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

The Draft Decision Guidance Document notes the following in the section on "Effects on Humans":

Chrysotile can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma in a dose dependent manner (I PCS, 1998). In most groups of exposed workers, lung cancer is the predominant cause of death related to Chrysotile exposure (NICNAS, 1999). Chrysotile is unequivocally a human carcinogen, however the risk to the public associated with its continued use is depended on the nature of the material to which the public is exposed and the level, frequency and duration of exposure.

The WHO Policy Paper on Elimination of asbestos-related diseases 1. (21 July 2006) clearly states that: "All types of asbestos cause cancer in humans ....

The Assessment of Environmental Contamination From Asbestos - Findings From the Former Asbestos Mining Regions of South Africa (February 2006) noted that "according to available literature, all types of asbestos are hazardous to human health and the extent of the hazard is depended on the nature of exposure. The highest exposures were found to be occupational, in workers who worked in asbestos mines".

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health:

The expected impact of this Final Regulatory Action is the banning of the use of asbestos in any product unless an alternative has not been identified. This will in turn protect humans from the adverse effects of asbestos, as well as decrease the risk of contamination of the environment with asbestos fibers.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

The assessment of Environmental Contamination From Asbestos - Findings From the Former Asbestos Mining Regions of South Africa (February 2006), found environmental contamination in the form of asbestos fibers in areas where asbestos was mined, dumped, and/or asbestos products were made.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to the environment:

Mining of asbestos in South Africa stopped in 2001. The fact that there will now be limited import of asbestos and that the use of asbestos will be phased out will reduce the possibility of adding to the existing environmental contamination. The final regulatory action requires transporters of asbestos for transit through South Africa to be registered with the Department. The transporting of asbestos through the country can therefore be more controlled.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 28/03/2008