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e-Toolkit

Asbestos-related disease

A note from our CEO
Section I: Taking action to eliminate asbestos-related diseases
Actions leading to national bans on asbestos
Towards a global ban on asbestos
International bilateral & multilateral mechanisms
History of Mining, consumption production and use of asbestos
Transitioning to alternative non-asbestos materials
Proactive removal of ageing legacy asbestos materials
Section II: Country summaries, case studies and resources
Country summaries
Case studies
Research on ARDs
Section III: What asbestos is and the risks it poses
What asbestos is and how to identify it
Exposure pathways
Asbestos removal, management and disposal
Asbestos in fibres in drinking water
Public health risks from asbestos cement products
Section IV: Health impacts of exposure to asbestos
What are asbestos-related diseases
How are asbestos-related diseases diagnosed?
Can ARDs be treated?
Patient support, care and information
Reporting, coding and registration of ARDs

A note from our CEO

On behalf of all contributors, the Australian Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI) is delighted to publish the International e-Toolkit for the Elimination of Asbestos and Dust-Related Diseases 2025 -2029. 

As the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for the Elimination of Asbestos and Dust-Related Diseases, ADDRI is well placed to develop this international e-Toolkit as an easy, user-friendly resource for everyone to use. 

The elimination of asbestos-and dust-related diseases (ADRDs) is a goal declared by the World Health Organisation and the International Labour Organisation and is embraced by a wide range of stakeholders that collaborate to make this a reality. This goal is accepted worldwide because ADRDs affect the wellbeing and lives of so many people and not just those exposed in their workplace. 

From an occupational perspective, all ADRDs are preventable. From a clinical perspective, ADRDs are difficult to diagnose and almost impossible to cure. From a socio-legal perspective, ADRDs are unjust and undercompensated. From the victims’ perspective, ADRDs are painful and too often fatal. Therefore, ADRDs require a multidimensional and interdisciplinary approach. 

Low- and middle-income countries are a particular concern because many lack the awareness and expertise to deal with ADRDs, and sadly enough, continue to use asbestos. The burden of asbestos and dust-related diseases may be hidden for now but are destined to grow. High-income countries can and should reach out to these countries and share the experience and expertise to stop this tragedy from repeating. 

Previous versions of the e-Toolkit were developed to serve as a concise and easy-to-use reference source of knowledge, technologies and information. Training videos were produced concurrently on a variety of themes, published research articles and Powerpoint presentations developed by contributors and links to free external sources that we deemed useful. 

ADDRI is committed to continuous improvement so this e-Toolkit will be a living resource, adding new content and links as they come to light. We welcome input from the global community to improve this resource for all to use.  

ADDRI looks forward to strong collaboration with our international partners in the campaign for the elimination of asbestos and dust-related diseases worldwide.

Kim Brislane

CEO, ADDRI 

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