The potentially lethal effects of building material asbestos have been widely known for more than three decades. Yet figures released this year show the UAE imported more of the substance than any other Middle Eastern country and continues to use it.

Tonight principal consultant at WSP Environment and Energy, Charles Faulkner, will deliver a public lecture on why he believes the UAE should impose a blanket ban on all asbestos-containing materials to protect people against contracting the deadly lung diseases caused by breathing in particles of the carcinogenic dust.

Faulkner, who advises firms on health and safety implications of handling and disposing of asbestos, said: “There is no reason to use asbestos at all any more. I would like to see it banned completely in this country.”

The use of asbestos boards, commonly used in construction, was officially outlawed in the UAE in 2006.

However there is no complete prohibition on the use of asbestos-containing materials despite much of the western world imposing a full ban, as well as Middle Eastern countries such as Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

In 2007, the UAE imported 17,472 tonnes of asbestos, according to the US Geological Survey of Minerals, the highest in the region.

Dubai is home to a plant churning out water pipes made of concrete and asbestos which are used for projects in this country.

Although the asbestos poses no threat to the public through the water supply, Faulkner says workers involved in the manufacture, install-ation and removal of any asbestos-containing materials are in danger - even if precautions are taken.

Faulkner said: “In my opinion there is no reason asbestos containing concrete should be used for water pipes in this country. The climate is not a reason to use it, it does not perform better than other safe materials in the heat of the ground and the desalinated water we use here does not play a part either.”

Asbestos becomes dangerous when it is broken apart, damaged or destroyed without the necessary precautions as its deadly fibres are released into the atmosphere. Asbestos handling firms are strictly licensed in the UAE and regularly inspected by Dubai Municipality.

But experts believe rogue firms are operating and the only way to prot-ect people properly is by making all forms of the substance illegal.

Dubai-based demolition expert and engineer Ed Forero said: “Asbestos should have an all encompassing ban within the UAE, the same as in the rest of the modern world.

“Until such time contractors, particularly conducting demolition, will continue to cause a hazard to the public. Policing, fines and punishment are the only answer to the issue.”

7DAYS contacted Dubai Municip-ality to speak with a building regulations official but no one was available for comment.

The Ministry of Health has no official figures for cases of mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung disease so it is not possible to estimate how many people may have been affected by exposure to the material.

Also, the health problems can take up to 30 years to manifest, meaning that many cases could become statistics in other countries.

Faulkner said: “Because there is a big migrant worker population here and because of the latency period of between about 20 and 30 years, it could be that cases of asbestos-related lung diseases are being recorded in the victim’s home countries rather than here. These illnesses are terminal. They lead to a very slow and very painful death and it takes very little exposure to develop them.”

Charles Faulkner’s presentation on asbestos in the UAE - part of Emirates Environmental Group’s monthly lecture series - is tonight at 7.30pm in the Emarat Atrium Building, Sheikh Zayed Road.

Asbestos : The facts
* Asbestos is a mineral and naturally occurs in three forms - chrysotile, crocidolite and amosite.

* The word asbestos derives from the Greek word for ‘inextinguishable’ and ‘indestructible’. It was used in building practices because although its fibres are soft and flexible, it can withstand extreme temperatures.

* It is inhalation of fibres that pose a risk to health. They cause asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. There is no cure for any of these conditions.

* Asbestos was commonly used in buildings in the UAE until 2006 and appeared in vinyl floor tiles, insulation, corrugated roofing. It is still used in water pipes.