Country Project
Tonga
ASBESTOS REMOVAL AND MANAGEMENT
ASBESTOS REMOVAL AND MANAGEMENT
The Department of Environment, from the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), seeks to build on the process started by PacWaste and utilise PacWastePlus funds to address asbestos removal and management.
Project Description
Current Situation
Asbestos is a major issue for many Pacific Island countries with a history of use of ACM in construction. Asbestos has been classified as a known human carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer) and inhalation of asbestos fibres that have become airborne can cause serious lung disease.
What is the Tonga Project About?
The Tonga country project seeks to:
• develop national legislation to ban the importation of asbestos
• provide an educational program to raise public awareness of asbestos and how to interact with it safely,
• update and revise the current asbestos Code of Practise to guide the management and handling of asbestos,
• provide training on asbestos abatement work (handling and disposal)
• abatement of ACM from a few selected buildings in Tongatapu
Future Situation
Adoption of appropriate regulations and/or policy to eliminate the importation of asbestos and ACM into Tonga, enhanced capacity of local officials and government staff to execute the ACM Regulations. Adoption of a Strategic Action Plan which details the short- and long-term management options for eventual removal/abatement of all ACM in Tonga.
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Factsheet
Asbestos Management Brief: TONGA
The PacWastePlus Regional Asbestos Project will support countries in executing solutions, both legislative and policy-driven, to prevent exposure to asbestos fibre, and thereby reduce asbestos-related diseases. This document provides guidance for Tonga to progress work on the development and implementation of a National ACM ban with this resource providing background information, identifying policy and legislative options available.
Factsheet
Tonga Project Profile – Asbestos Removal and Management in Tongatapu
Asbestos-containing materials are a major issue for many Pacific Island countries with a history of use of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in construction. All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans and inhalation of asbestos fibres that have become airborne can cause serious lung disease. The Department of Environment, from the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), seeks to build on the process started by PacWaste and utilise PacWastePlus funds to address asbestos removal and management
Factsheet
PacWastePlus Project Snapshot – Tonga
There is large variability in the management of waste in Tonga. The islands of Tongatapu and Vava’u receive rubbish collection services provided by the Tonga Waste Authority Limited. However, due to the lack of waste collection services provided to the other outer islands and rural areas, practices of backyard burying, and burning is prevalent.
File Size: 1.81MB, 5 pages PDF document
Frequently asked questions
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- Adopt appropriate regulations and/or policies to eliminate the importation of asbestos and asbestos containing materials (ACM) into Tonga.
- Enhance the capacity of local officials and government staff to execute the ACM Regulations.
- Adopted a Strategic Action Plan for eventual removal/abatement of ACM in Tonga and execute the removal of ACM from selected sites in Tongatapu.
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Following TC Gita in 2018 and TC Harold in 2020, buildings were damaged in Tongatapu and also in Ha’apai and ‘Eua. Debris contaminated with ACM was present. The development of this project is vital to ensure that more ACM buildings are remediated to avoid the generation of asbestos debris, as tropical cyclones are becoming more frequent in the region.
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It is a priority for the people of Tonga that ACM is removed from the island. This PacWastePlus programme project will provide a significant step forward to free Tonga of ACM, thereby reducing its impact on human health and the environment.