Survey of the Regional Distribution and Status of Asbestos-Contaminated Construction Material and Best Practice Options for its Management in Pacific Island Countries. Report for the Republic of Nauru

Abstract

PacWaste (Pacific Hazardous Waste) is a four year, €7.85 million project funded by the European Union and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to improve regional hazardous waste management, in 14 Pacific island countries plus Timor Leste, in the priority areas of healthcare waste, E-waste, asbestos, and integrated atoll solid waste management. Asbestos-containing wastes are a major issue for many Pacific Island countries with a history of use of asbestos-containing building materials in construction. All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans and the inhalation of asbestos fibres that have become airborne can cause serious lung disease or cancers.