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1.9.4 National Situation in the Philippines

Nelia G. Granadillos and Janis A. Robles

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History and Policies on Asbestos Use and Management in the Philippines

One of the requirements of The National Building Code of the Philippines of 1972 (amended in 1977) is to have a fire-resistive of one-hour up to four-hour time period rating.(2) Asbestos material is highly resistant to fire and least expensive; hence, it has become among the preferred and most popular materials to use in the Philippines.(3)

When work-related diseases became a concern among workers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) implemented and enforced the occupational exposure standards of various substances including asbestos. In 1989, the DOLE Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) mandated for the industries to report work-related issues or diseases that may be attributed to occupational exposure including asbestos.(3) On April 21, 2016, Department Order No. 154 Safety and Health Standards on the Use and Management of Asbestos in the Workplace took effect bringing the asbestos standard to a more stringent occupational exposure concentration – from 2 fiber per cubic centimeter (f/cc) to 0.1 f/cc in an 8-hour work period.(4) Also, the Employees’ Compensation Commission considered Asbestosis as one of the compensable work related diseases in 2012.(7)

One of the general recommendations of the International Program on Chemical Safety Working Group Meeting on the Reduction of Asbestos in 1988, “Countries that do not have established policies for the control of hazards related to the presence of asbestos in the environment should develop guidelines for this purpose.”(5) In 1990, the Republic Act 6969 known as “Toxic Substances and Hazardous Wastes and Nuclear Wastes Control Act” was enacted. This Law mandated the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to keep an inventory of chemicals that are being imported, manufactured, or used; and to monitor and regulate the importation, manufacture, processing, handling, storage, transportation, sale, distribution, use and disposal of chemical substances and mixtures.(6)

In 2000, after a decade of Republic Act No. 6969, the DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2000-02 Chemical Control Order for Asbestos was issued. This law controls and regulates the use and disposal of asbestos. It specifies that the use of amphibole group of asbestos particularly amosite (brown) and crocidolite (blue) asbestos fibers and of products containing these fibers as strictly prohibited.(8) For that matter, chrysotile asbestos was predominantly used and its disposal is being controlled.

Despite on policies on Asbestos in the Philippines, continued consumption of asbestos still persists in the Philippines. As depicted in Figure 1, the average is 2690 metric tons of asbestos fibers from 2003 to 2017. The highest consumption was in 2010 closed to 4000 metric tons and the least was in 2005 around 1500 metric tons.(9, 10, 11)

Figure 1. Estimated consumption of asbestos fibers in the Philippines 2003-2017

Filipino workers exposed to Asbestos and its contribution to the national economy​

From the results of the study conducted on Policy Alternatives, 5,289 workers were exposed to asbestos and 30,000 workers were indirectly exposed working in 143 companies nationwide (Table 1). The asbestos-exposed worker could contribute around Php 1.08 Billion (inflation-adjusted) in the economy in 20 years; while the indirectly exposed could give as much as Php 6.8 Billion (inflation-adjusted).(3)

As of this moment, the closure of the Philippines largest shipyard Hanjin in 2019 employing 30,000 at its peak could mean a much lower economic contribution of the directly-exposed workers than indirectly-exposed.

Table 1. Workers directly and indireclty exposed to asbestos – Projected Working Age Population, total annual income and contribution to national economy, 2014 base year (3)

Notes

  • Est. annual mortality rate 0.4335% (Phillippine Health Statistics 2010)
  • Est. annual income at Php 312.11 a day for 260 working days (DOLE 2012, Average daily base pay of wage and salary worker by major occupational groups)
  • Multiplier effect used for economic distribution is 3.759418 (NSCP, PSA)
  • Inflation adjustment computed at 2007-2014 average inflation rate of 3.8% (NSCP, PSA)

Reported Cases of ARD in the Philippines​

According to Table 3 below, there were 482 cases of asbestos-related diseases in a span of 15 years from 1997 – 2012; a relatively small number of recorded cases.(3) The number of ARDs cases in the Philippines is not as alarming as compared to developed countries such as Germany, United States, Canada and others. These small recorded cases may not reflect the true scenario for the following reasons:

  1. It is important to note that ARDs can mimic other diseases; only thorough investigation of occupational history and medical investigation can confirm ARDs due to asbestos exposure.
  2. Prevalence of ARDs is not that accurate due to limited data on health surveillance and monitoring.(17) The slow progression of the ARDs may also affect the recorded cases; it takes 10-40 years of inhalation before the ARDs show. More so, follow-up diagnostic tests are seldom carried for those diagnosed with ARD. The overall cost of ARD would range from Php 1M to 5M per patient/ year and includes cost for diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care.(3)

Case of Subic Naval Facility

In the published study of the case of Subic Naval Facility, 23% (355 workers) and 8.3% (128 workers) of 1,542 subject workers had confirmed asbestosis and pleural disease.(1)

  • 587 out of 1,542 workers had evaluable results;
    • 519 out of these 587 workers had pleural or parenchymal disease consistent with asbestos exposure;
    • 387 out of these 519 workers had work-ups showed asbestosis.
  • Also, there were frank cases of ARDs that went under reported.

From the presented data 7 out of 10 subject workers had ARDs. Hence as per the reported cases in Table 2, the presented number of cases were probably underreported.

Table 2. Reported cases of asbestos-related diseases per Agency (12)

Monitoring Mechanism

Asbestos Fibre Testing

Asbestos fiber testing is carried out by the Occupational Safety and Health Center in the Philippines both the qualitative analysis of determining the presence of asbestos fiber in the material and the quantitative analysis of the concentration of asbestos fiber in the air.

Asbestos Waste Management

The DENR-EMB Memorandum Circular No. 002 Series of 2015 requires all companies handling asbestos to register using a standard form called Asbestos Registration Form. It includes asbestos specific information, management information, preventive and control measures and treatment, storage and disposal information.(16)

Health Surveillance

Department of Labor and Employment DO 154 series of 2016 directs all asbestos exposed workers and those who are having asbestos-related activities to have medical surveillance program. This includes environmental and biological monitoring, and medical screening of present and retired asbestos exposed workers.(4)

Capacity Building

To enhance the monitoring mechanism, Asbestos Training Workshop for the Philippines was conducted by Asbestos Disease Research Institute team in July 2019. The goal of the asbestos training workshop was to advance the capacity of the Philippines to detect diagnose and treat cases of ARDs especially mesothelioma.(15)

Needs and Institutional Support

Medical Surveillance

As such, it is necessary to have a tangible framework for medical/health surveillance mechanism including reporting system especially for archipelagic islands like the Philippines, and continuous regular monitoring of all workers in all sectors including informal sectors and the public whether directly or indirectly exposed to asbestos.(3)

Data Banking

This can be conducted through an asbestos profile and medical surveillance network in collaboration with bureaus and agencies both in the regional and main offices concerned with ARDs, and the companies utilizing asbestos fibers and ACMs. Asbestos data banking should be made available and accessible to research professionals, law makers, and other pertinent authorities.

Information Dissemination

The Philippines may also need to have ARDs information dissemination down to local units to make the community (i.e. both the public and workers) aware of the hazards of asbestos, sign and symptoms of ARDs, how to avoid being exposed to such fibers and contact details in case of in adversity. An asbestos awareness and campaign will be beneficial as they will know how to protect themselves.

Research

The data from surveillance system and medical records can also be used as a secondary data for research. As such, research must be also instituted for in-depth study with regards to the profile, work environment, worker’s exposure, epidemiology and others especially for chrysotile type of asbestos.

Strategies

Asbestos Program

One of the key components of National Program for Elimination of Asbestos-related Diseases (NPEAD) is to have a National Asbestos Profile (NAP) on WHO and ILO template. The NAP for Philippines was completed in 2014 by the Department of Health in collaboration and consultation with other concerned agencies and Technical Working Group members. It is intended to facilitate countries especially those that are still using chrysotile type of asbestos to eliminate asbestos-related diseases through development of national asbestos programs. This NAP also provided a baseline information on ARDs, asbestos utilizing companies and population at risk of ARDs.(1)

Inclusion of Chrysotile Asbestos in Annex III of Rotterdam Convention

The impact of inclusion of Chrysotile asbestos and asbestos containing materials in Annex III of Rotterdam Convention, the Philippines can monitor its entry, sale and use, stop illegal trade, and protect human health and the environment. Also, according to the conducted independent health risks assessments of European Union, Chile and Australia, “Chrysotile asbestos was carcinogenic to humans and that there was no threshold of exposure below which asbestos did not pose carcinogenic risks” (EU), “there were no thresholds for the carcinogenic effect of chrysotile asbestos” (Chile), and “human exposure was associated with an excessive risk of asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma” (Australia).(17)

Various professional networks and organizations support the inclusion of chrysotile asbestos in Annex III of Rotterdam. EcoWaste Coalition based its decision from the researchers and WHO that “all types of asbestos can cause cancer to human”. Similarly, PAN Philippines centered their decision on the International Agency for Research on Cancer established findings that “there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans for all types of asbestos”.(17) However, the Association of Chrysotile Asbestos in the Philippines, an association of local asbestos industry, decision was against the chrysotile inclusion. The reasons were based generally on social impact, and the concern on the banning of their raw materials – the chrysotile asbestos. However, banning of chrysotile asbestos in not the concern of the Convention but rather a national legislative or administrative measure.(17)

For that matter, the Philippine government supports the inclusion of chrysotile in Annex III. This will enhance the information exchange, national capabilities, management of chemicals, and local based information database for the improvement of national policies.(17)

Policy Adjustments

​Threshold Limit Value for Asbestos Exposure

​DO 154 lowered the occupational exposure threshold for asbestos fibre from 2.0 to 0.1 fibre/cc. However, this exposure concentration which was also similar to other countries, has been questioned by scientific community for “lack of scientific rigor, inadequate medical input, and lack of attention to financial conflicts of interest”.(20) since all asbestos fibres are considered carcinogenic, it might be wise to have a research specifically for chrysotile asbestos – more data of exposure both for asbestos and ACM, and association to ARDs. This is to determine the realistic exposure concentration that might cause an ARD and finalize the safest exposure level.

Total Banning

In 2014, there were 143 manufacturers and processing companies of chrysotile asbestos in the Philippines employing 5,289 workers. First and foremost, as per data have shown that these exposed workers can contribute Php 1.08 billion annually for the economy. However, the 30,000 indirectly exposed workers can contribute about Php 6.8 billion annually. The economic loss (in case of banning is approximately Php 1.08 billion as contributed by the exposed workers) is relatively small as compared to the societal cost (Php 6.8 billion per year contribution of indirectly exposed workers to economy) to the national economy.(3) Additionally, these 5,289 workers (in case that they would have ARDs), will spend Php 13.2225 billion (utilizing an average of Php 2.5 Million per year per patient). ARDs from occupational exposure are considered compensable as per government regulation.

More so, the manufacturers and processing companies can utilize safer alternatives for asbestos. These asbestos alternative materials can alleviate their financial loss.

References

  1. National Asbestos Profile. Philippines. InforMEA. Available from: http://www.pic.int/Portals/5/download.aspx?d=UNEP-FAO-RC-NationalProfile-Asbestos-Philippines-2013.En.pdf [cited 2021 Mar 2].
  2. Juris TC. R.A. No. 6541: National Building Code of the Philippines. The Corpus Juris. 1972 Available from: http://thecorpusjuris.com/legislative/republic-acts/ra-no-6541.php [cited 2021 Mar 2].
  3. Quizon RR, Lam HY, Lopez JCF, Lomboy MFTC, Rivera ATF. Policy Alternatives to Reduce the Health and Economic Effects of Continued Asbestos Use in the Philippines. Acta Medica Philippina. 2014;48(3). doi: https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.v48i3.1114
  4. Department Order No. 154-2016 Safety and Health Standards on the Use and Management of Asbestos in the Workplace. Department of Labor and Employment. Available from: https://www.dole.gov.ph/news/department-order-no-154-2016-safety-and-health-standards-on-the-use-and-management-of-asbestos-in-the-workplace/ [cited 2021 Mar 2].
  5. International Program on Chemical Safety. Report of an IPCS Working Group Meeting on the Reduction of Asbestos in the Environment, Internal Technical Report. Rome, Italy, 12-16 December 1988. Available from: https://chrysotileassociation.com/sc_publi/ipcs_report.php [cited 2021 Mar 2].
  6. Republic Act No. 6969. Department of Energy Philippines. Available from: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1990/10/26/republic-act-no-6969/ [cited 2021 Mar 2].
  7. Employees’ Compensation Commission. Amended rules on employees’ compensation. (2014). Available from: http://ecc.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Booklet_Amended_Rules_on_EC_2014.pdf [cited 2021 Mar 2].
  8. Antonio Ceriles SH. The Republic of the Philippines. Vol. 65, Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing. 1999. p. 853-854+857. doi: https://doi.org/10.1142/9789812817945_0010
  9. Asbestos in 2018, tables-only release. Available from: https://www.usgs.gov/media/files/asbestos-2018-tables-only-release [cited 2021 Mar 2].
  10. United States Geological Survey. Asbestos Statistics and Information. Mineral Industry Survey 2003-07. Available from: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nmic/asbestos-statistics-and-information [cited 2021 Mar 2].
  11. United States Geological Survey. Asbestos Statistics and Information – Minerals Yearbook 2012 and 2013. Available from: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nmic/asbestos-statistics-and-information [cited 2021 Mar 2].
  12. Review and development of relevant legislations, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to Asbestos. Available from: http://www.pic.int/Portals/5/download.aspx?d=UNEP-FAO-RC-PUB-Asbestos-LegalReview-Philippines-2013.En.pdf [cited 2021 Mar 2].
  13. Current Labor Statistics. Philippine Statistics Authority. Available from: https://psa.gov.ph/current-labor-statistics/statistical-tables [cited 2021 Mar 2].
  14. The Philippine Manufacturing Industry Profile. Available from: https://boi.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Manufacturing-July-2017.pdf [cited 2021 Mar 2].
  15. Asbestos Training Workshop for the Philippines, July 2019. Asbestos Disease Research Institute. Available from: https://addri.org.au/asbestos-training-workshop-philippines-july-2019/ [cited 2021 Mar 2].
  16. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Environment Management Bureau. Memorandum Circular 002 Series of 2015 Harmonization of registration forms, issued certificates and procedures for Chemical Control Orders, and small quantity importation (SQI). Available from: http://chemical.emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/EMB-MC-2015-002-Certificate-Harmonization-small.pdf [cited 2021 Mar 2].
  17. Inclusion of chrysotile asbestos in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention. InforMEA. Available from: https://www.informea.org/en/inclusion-chrysotile-asbestos-annex-iii-rotterdam-convention [cited 2021 Mar 2].
  18. Types of Asbestos. Chyrsotile, Actinolite, Tremolite & More. Mesothelioma Center – Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families. Available from: https://www.asbestos.com/asbestos/types/ [cited 2021 Mar 2].
  19. Tossavainen A, Kotilainen M, Takahashi K, Pan G, Vanhala E. Amphibole fibres in Chinese chrysotile asbestos. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2001 Mar 1;45(2):145–52. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-4878(00)00041-7 PMID: 11182428
  20. Ziem GE, Castleman BI. Threshold Limit Values: Historical Perspectives and Current Practice. Occup Environ Med. 1989 Nov;31(11):910–8. doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/00043764-198911000-00014 PMID: 2681586

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