logo white

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

Colombia: Evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and surveillance of asbestos-related diseases

Non-malignant respiratory diseases resulting from asbestos exposure represent a significant public health concern in Colombia and worldwide. Despite the asbestos ban enacted in Colombia through Law 1968 of 2019, the risks associated with occupational and environmental exposure persist due to the continued presence of installed asbestos in buildings, industrial equipment, industrial waste, demolition debris, and its historical use in the construction, transportation, and manufacturing sectors.

The primary objective of this guideline is to establish recommendations based on the best available evidence for the diagnosis, follow-up, and clinical management of non-malignant asbestos-related diseases, in order to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and ensure comprehensive and timely care within the Colombian health system.

This document responds to the need for a standardized, evidence-informed clinical framework to guide medical practitioners, regardless of variations in administrative coverage or regional institutional capacity. It is designed to be compatible with existing instruments such as the RIAS, but it does not depend on them for clinical application.

For a detailed description of the relevant legal and regulatory instruments—including occupational risk classification systems, technical standards for fibre measurement, and administrative surveillance mechanisms—see Annex 14.6: Regulatory and Administrative Framework in Colombia Regarding Asbestos Exposure.

Surveillance and early detection of non-malignant diseases resulting from asbestos exposure are essential to prevent disease progression [6], reduce respiratory morbidity, and mitigate long-term impacts on quality of life. Implementing structured follow-up strategies, ensuring access to specialized diagnostic tools, and defining clear clinical care pathways can significantly improve health outcomes and reduce the burden on the health care system.

Although asbestos use has been eliminated from industrial processes in Colombia, exposure persists. It affects not only former workers but also communities subject to environmental asbestos exposure and individuals exposed in domestic settings.

This guideline responds to that need by providing standardized, evidence-based recommendations to guide post-exposure surveillance in both clinical and community settings. In doing so, it facilitates early case identification, reduces diagnostic delays, and ensures that surveillance is not limited to occupational exposure, but extends to the broader spectrum of at-risk populations throughout the national territory.

Resources

Colombian Guidelines – English

Download PDF here

Colombian Guidelines – Spanish

Download PDF here

Epidemiological Trends in Mesothelioma Mortality in Colombia (1997–2022): A Retrospective National Study

Read more

Sign up to our newsletter

Sign up
Skip to content