The Sibaté asbestos-cement facility case study: Reconstructing the production process to assess its occupational and environmental impacts

Introduction

Asbestos fibers, valued for their physicochemical properties, were extensively used in constructions and automotive industries. Despite their well-documented health risks, the use continues in some countries today. Colombia banned asbestos in 2019; however, the corresponding public policies have yet to be implemented.  The historical prevalence of asbestos industries has been associated with clusters of asbestos-related diseases in communities near former manufacturing sites. Sibaté, a municipality with an asbestos cement facility operating for five decades, reported Colombia’s first mesothelioma cluster. This study reconstructs the asbestos cement facility operations using interviews, aerial imagery, and regulatory documents to evaluate its impact on the local population.

Methods

Former workers were interviewed to obtain information on production process, asbestos control measures, and activities influencing asbestos fiber release from the facility. Key factors such as the plant layout, task locations, dry processes, ventilation systems, and water and waste management practices were analyzed to evaluate the facility's environmental impact. Additionally, a review of the scientific literature was conducted to analyze asbestos cement operations and asbestos fiber concentrations in countries across different income levels. The review aimed to identify and link asbestos exposure to specific production activities. Additionally, regulatory compliance documents from the regional environmental authority (CAR) were analyzed. Thirteen records — ten compliant and three non-compliant — along with the National Registry of Hazardous Waste Generators were reviewed to assess the facility’s adherence to regulations regarding industrial air emissions, wastewater treatment, and hazardous waste management.

Results

Thirteen factory workers employed between 1967 and 2010 have been interviewed. Flow diagrams were developed to identify activities with a significant risk of asbestos fiber release. In the absence of asbestos fibers measurements within the facility, asbestos concentrations from similar facilities in countries with varying development index were used to estimate exposure levels. Records between 1980 and 2019 from the environmental authority revealed data gaps regarding air, water and waste management practices at the factory which may have contributed to increased exposure risks for the surrounding population. Until 1999, untreated wastewater was discharged into the El Muña reservoir and potential illegal wastewater discharges were also identified in 2015. Hazardous waste was reportedly disposed in Sibaté and nearby municipalities, and waste deposition occurred in flood-prone areas. Disposal sites were poorly documented, with unclear details regarding their specific locations. While the facility claimed that asbestos residues were non-hazardous, no supporting studies were provided. Local testimonies confirm that Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) were used to construct  landfills in Sibaté.

Conclusion

The evidence gathered indicates that the asbestos cement facility in Sibaté consistently failed to comply with environmental regulations, leading to widespread asbestos contamination in surrounding areas. This ongoing contamination likely represents a significant source of asbestos exposure, posing a potential health risk to the population. Understanding the extent of this contamination is crucial for decision-makers to develop a comprehensive risk assessment and management plan for Sibaté. The approach used in Sibaté could serve as a valuable framework for assessing similar risks in other low- and middle-income countries.