Asbestos Scenario in NepalUsing asbestos has been discouraged in Nepal,as the World Health Organisation has stated that exposure to asbestos can cause cancer, said Jaya Ram Lamichhane, ex-president of the Federation of Contractors Association of Nepal. Asbestos is largely used in roofing in Nepal and is mostly used in traditional buildings.The Centre for Public Health and Environmental Development, an NGO, which has been lobbying to ban asbestos, welcomed the governments move and said it would help protect human health, as well as environment from negative consequences of asbestos. According to CEPHED, records at the Department of Customs show that Nepal imported about 1,195 tonnes of asbestos for use in construction work in the fiscal year 2012-13 itself.Where found or where usedOlder products such as stove-top pads may have someasbestos compounds. Walls and floors around wood burning stoves may be protected withasbestospaper, millboard, or cement sheets.Asbestos is foundin some vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives. It was used in such applications aselectrical insulationfor hotplate wiring and inbuilding insulation. When asbestos is used for its resistance to fire or heat, the fibers are often mixed with cement or woven into fabric or mats.Asbestos: elimination of asbestos-related diseasesEliminating asbestos-related diseases is particularly targeted at countries still using chrysotile asbestos, in addition to assistance in relation to exposures arising from historical use of all forms of asbestos.WHO, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization and other intergovernmental organizations and civil society, works with countries towards elimination of asbestos-related diseases in the following ways: by recognizing that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos; by providing information about solutions for replacing asbestos with safer substitutes and developing economic and technological mechanisms to stimulate its replacement; by taking measures to prevent exposure to asbestos in place and during asbestos removal (abatement); by improving early diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation services for asbestos-related diseases;

Potential Health HazardsBreathing in asbestos fibres can cause cancer and other diseases, such as: asbestosis a scarring of the lungs, which makes it difficult to breathe mesothelioma a rare cancer of the lining of the chest or abdominal cavity lung cancer smoking can greatly increase this riskThere are no significant health risks if materials containing asbestos in your home are: tightly bound in products and are in good condition sealed behind walls and floorboards isolated in an attic left undisturbed

Remarks,Suggestion and noteworthy point1) Update existing asbestos-in-building guidance2) Encourage compliance with existing regulations3) Clarify the asbestos definition to address asbestos contamination in vermiculite and other minerals4) Advance a federal legislative ban on asbestos5) Develop a national mesothelioma registry6) Update asbestos model training curriculam7) Enforce existing asbestos regulations8) Reduce the occurrence of unintended asbestos in products.9) Address asbestos-containing products in commerce10) Partner with state agencies in support of asbestos training