On Tuesday, the Saudi Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, approved the establishment of a standing committee to oversee all matters related to asbestos and ensure enforcement of the ban, marking a new step in public health and regulatory oversight.
Saudi Health Minister Fahd Al Jalajer told Asharq Al Awsat that the Kingdom is tackling health risks with an aggressive strategy based on clear policies and long-term plans.
Citing past announcements such as the country’s anti-drowning policy and strategic drug policy, Al Jalajel said: “When we detect risks that affect the population, the government will strive to develop the necessary tools to avoid them and continue to improve the quality of life.”
Saudi action on asbestos goes back many years, and the decision to establish a monitoring committee follows an earlier cabinet decision. Decisions numbered 1419 and 1422 stopped the use of asbestos, prohibited its inclusion in official standards, and prohibited its import, export and manufacture.
The measures required continued investigations due to health and environmental hazards, as well as the replacement and safe disposal of asbestos in buildings and water networks.
Scientifically, asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers that were once, and in some cases still are, widely used commercially. Exposure can be fatal and affects workers and others who come into contact with the fibers.
This material has gained commercial value due to its outstanding tensile strength, low thermal conductivity, and relative resistance to chemical damage. It is used in products such as building insulation, roof sheets, water pipes, fire blankets, plastic fillers, medical packaging, vehicle clutches and brake linings.
There are six main forms of asbestos, with chrysotile or white asbestos being the most widely used today. The World Health Organization has concluded that all forms of asbestos cause cancer. There has also been a link between asbestos exposure and chronic respiratory diseases.
Because asbestos is embedded in construction materials, those involved in the construction, maintenance, or demolition of affected structures may face risks even decades after installation.
WHO assessments classify all six major forms of asbestos as carcinogenic to humans. Exposures such as chrysotile have been linked to cancers of the lungs, larynx, and ovary, as well as mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the pleura and peritoneum.
Clear scientific evidence also shows that it causes chronic respiratory diseases such as asbestosis and other severe lung damage.
The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 125 million people worldwide are currently exposed to asbestos at work. More than 107,000 people die each year from lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis related to occupational exposures.
According to the WHO, asbestos causes more than 200,000 deaths each year worldwide, accounting for about one-third of occupational cancer deaths. Thousands more people die each year from domestic exposure.
As of 2024, 50 countries have banned asbestos. In other cases, uncertainty remains due to insufficient or incomplete data.
