Economic Impact Assessment of Phasing Out Importation and Use of Asbestos in Lao PDR
The CIE was commissioned by the Australian Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency (ASSEA) to evaluate the economic impact of a change in asbestos policy in Lao PDR to help end asbestos import and use in the country, and transition to safer materials. This work was part of Priority 7 of Australia’s Asbestos National Strategic Plan, which aims to build capacity in Southeast Asia in relation to the development of awareness materials and awareness raising activities, and commissioning research on the burden of asbestos related disease in target countries.
Lao PDR currently imports large amounts of chrysotile asbestos fibres and products, mainly for construction materials like roof tiles, with no in-country capacity to diagnose asbestos-related diseases, and poor product labelling and awareness of the dangers of exposure to asbestos. We estimated that if asbestos is phased out in 2030, 6,452 disease cases related to workplace exposure can be prevented, saving US$685 million, with minimal impact on government revenue, and with economic adjustment costs comprising less than 10% of the benefits to Lao people and the Lao hospital system.
The non-technical report was translated into Lao language, and has supported asbestos policy development in the country.
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