Between the 1950s and 1990s, asbestos cement was widely used in Israel in industrial, commercial, agricultural, and even residential buildings and structures. It’s estimated that more than 100 million square meters of asbestos-cement slabs were distributed in Israel.
Asbestos is an unstable material configuration that easily disintegrates upon contact, whereupon it releases dangerous fibers into the air, e.g. as a result of burning a structure containing asbestos.
The Prevention of Hazards from Asbestos and Harmful Dust Law (commonly known as the “Asbestos Law”) was enacted in Israel in 2011. The law prohibits any new use of asbestos, as in other developed nations, and also mandates the gradual disposal of the material in public buildings and all industries by 2021.
The law requires a special license to use asbestos. This permit must be obtained from the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the body entrusted with enforcing the law. A licensed asbestos contractor must be held accountable for every meter of asbestos handled. The contractor is also responsible for proper disposal of the material at a designated and licensed treatment site.
During the asbestos removal stage, complete personal protective equipment, including a mask and body suit, is required. Additionally, it is necessary to dampen the surface with a dedicated material in order to prevent fibers from floating into the air and endangering the removal team and any other people in the surrounding area.