The Asbestos Problem in Switzerland Persists
Published: Sunday, Sep 3rd 2023, 12:40
Updated At: Friday, Oct 13th 2023, 14:12
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The use of asbestos in Switzerland peaked in the mid-20th century, with the material being used in many buildings, floors, walls, ceilings, roofs, facades, windows, heating systems, electrical installations, and insulation. In 1989, Switzerland became one of the first countries to ban the use of asbestos, which came into effect in 1990. Despite this, asbestos can still be found in up to three out of four buildings in the country, particularly in less obvious applications such as tile adhesive. Asbestos is dangerous when it is disturbed and the fibres are released into the air, as they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. The latency period between contact with asbestos and the onset of illness can be up to 40 years, meaning that the peak of asbestos-related illnesses is yet to come. The Suva registers around 9000 asbestos-related projects each year, but the process of asbestos removal and remediation is slow. This is partly due to a lack of knowledge, but also due to the high cost of asbestos removal. It is important that all buildings built before 1990 are checked for asbestos, and that any asbestos-containing materials are removed safely and properly.nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
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