00:00Two NGOs, the Consumers Association of Penang and the Health and Safety Advisory Center,
00:07are advocating for an immediate nationwide ban on asbestos.
00:11CAP Chief Executive S. Mageswari said no amount of scientific research has found a safe way
00:17to use asbestos, linking its use directly to diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis
00:24and lung cancer.
00:26She said CAP has consistently pushed for this ban, renewing their call in a July 2024 memorandum.
00:33CAP had made a similar call as far back as in 2001.
00:37Mageswari urged the government to raise greater awareness among workers and consumers regarding
00:42the dangers of asbestos and the proper way in which the substance should be removed in
00:47line with the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 2000.
00:51Meanwhile, HASAC founder T. Jayabalan criticized previous administrations for their delayed
00:56action on banning asbestos, attributing the delay to factors like unavailable substitutes,
01:02insensitive policy makers, and corrupt bureaucracy.
01:06Jayabalan added that patented polyvinyl chloride, natural fibers, oil palm fiber, and zinc sheets
01:12were viable alternatives to asbestos.
01:15On Saturday, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister N. Nazmi Nick Ahmed
01:21said Putrajaya was considering implementing a total ban on asbestos use.
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