The Ombudsperson, in compliance with legal responsibilities and liabilities entrusted, has initiated Ex-Officio investigation pertaining environmental pollution by untreated wastes and materials containing asbestos.

Easy penetration of asbestos fibers in the human body through the respiratory tract and contamination that these fibers perform in human body, by causing a range of cancer diseases and of respiratory system, makes extremely disquieting the permanent risk for human health and life from asbestos-containing materials.

International standards, as well as the Law No. 04/L-060 on Waste and Administrative Instruction No. 22/2015, on Management of Asbestos Containing Materials with the purpose of preventing asbestos fibers release in air and water, determine measures, techniques and standards for treatment and storage of products containing asbestos.

Nevertheless, apart the environmental impact, within the whole territory of the country, untreated and unpackaged waste containing asbestos materials can be noticed. Furthermore, there is a lack of public information on the risk of this product as well as the manners of asbestos waste material treatment, as a positive obligation of the state and a fundamental principle for the respect the right to a safe and healthy environment.

Therefore, as an immediate need for policy-setting and remedial measures undertaking, the Ombudsperson in his investigation concerning management of asbestos-containing materials aims to highlight the risks on the use and presence of asbestos-containing materials and their treatment, including destruction of such materials as well.