Rationale and Policy
- Asbestos is a fibrous silicate mineral known for fire resistance and insulation.
- Used in various products like friction materials, fireproof clothing, and construction materials.
- Prolonged exposure linked to lung cancer; classified as a known human carcinogen by IARC.
- Several countries regulate or prohibit certain asbestos materials.
- Policy aims to minimize health and environmental hazards from asbestos exposure and improper management.
Definitions
- "DAO 29": Implementing Rules for RA 6969.
- "Department": Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
- "Bureau": Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).
- "Asbestos": Includes chrysotile and amphibole group minerals (e.g., amosite, crocidolite).
- "Friable asbestos material": Contains >1% asbestos and can be crumbled to release fibers.
- "Non-friable asbestos containing material": Contains >1% asbestos but cannot be crumbled by hand pressure.
- "Importer", "Manufacturer", "Storage", "Disposal", and other terms clearly defined for regulatory context.
Scope and Coverage
- Regulates importation, manufacturing, treatment, storage, disposal of asbestos and asbestos wastes in the Philippines.
- Applies to importers, manufacturers, transporters, industrial facility owners/operators, contractors, shipbuilders, and waste management service providers.
Objectives
- General: Control asbestos use and disposal to protect health and environment.
- Specific:
- Raise awareness on safe asbestos use.
- Develop management framework for raw materials, products, wastes.
- Define importation, manufacturing, treatment, storage, disposal requirements.
- Limit use of certain asbestos types and materials.
- Establish compliance monitoring program.
General Requirements and Procedures
- Registration and permitting required for importers, manufacturers, transporters, and handlers of asbestos materials.
- Existing structures with asbestos must register.
- Annual reports from importers and manufacturers must be submitted with detailed records.
- Records open for inspection by DENR personnel.
- Use strictly limited to specific product categories; certain asbestos types (amosite, crocidolite) are prohibited.
- Spraying asbestos and new uses not allowed.
Information, Education, Communication and Training
- DENR, industry groups, and NGOs will promote awareness and safe use technologies.
- Importers and manufacturers responsible for training transporters and users on handling precautions.
Compliance Monitoring
- Achieved through report reviews and on-site inspections by authorized DENR personnel.
Specific Requirements and Standards
- Annual Reporting includes premises info, production data, exposure risk, pollution controls, waste generation and management.
- Manifests required for asbestos waste transport and disposal.
- Labeling mandates marking products containing asbestos after one year from effectivity.
- Handling protocols require detailed record-keeping, adherence to storage, labeling, transport rules, and accreditation for removal activities.
- Manufacturing must maintain dust control, provide protective equipment, prohibit visible emissions, and conduct air monitoring with specified fiber concentration limits.
- Renovation and demolition require inspections, notification to Bureau at least 30 days prior, wetting of friable asbestos to prevent fiber release, and air quality monitoring to ensure exposure limits.
- Storage must prevent fiber releases, using heavy-duty polyethylene bags or approved containers.
- Disposal of friable asbestos wastes must conform to DENR standards, include covering waste daily, maintain waste shipment records, and submit annual reports.
- Non-friable asbestos wastes may be disposed in authorized landfills.
Revision of Requirements
- DENR may amend or supplement provisions after consultation and public notice.
Penalty Provision
- Violations subject to administrative and criminal sanctions under DAO 29 (Title V, Chapter XI, Sections 41-42).
Effectivity
- Rules effective six months after publication in the Official Gazette and two newspapers of general circulation.