Guidelines for Managing Asbestos at the Bakalian Disposal Site

The Guidelines for Managing Asbestos at the Bakalian Disposal Site has been prepared by IBI Group, under the direction of UN Habitat, Arcenciel, and the Rubble to Mountains initiative, to guide the investigation, remediation, and management of potential asbestos-contaminated debris stockpiled from the recent Port of Beirut explosion at the Bakalian Disposal Site. These guidelines are based on Canadian, British, and international best practices and tailored to Lebanese conditions. Asbestos contamination is a major issue in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as a result of extensive past (and current) use. These guidelines discuss the nature and toxicity of asbestos, its occurrence in the MENA region, investigation procedures and criteria appropriate for different environmental scenarios, and acceptable management strategies tailored specifically for the site.