2025: Togo, Africa’s Amazing “Study Report on Asbestos.” The Mouse that Roared

If you read one thing today, make it the Togo, Africa Study Report on Asbestos. You can find it at https://theasbestosblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Final_Asbestos_Report_TOGO_2025-1.pdf

Ambroise and his team have done an amazing job of catching the asbestos-related issue as they start to percolate to the surface as technology and people advance.

I asked Ambroise to develop a historical narrative to go with the report, and it is as follows:

Hello, my name is « kodjo Ambroise TROVEH »

I am a trainer and analyst in Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and a Phase-Contrast Optical Microscopy (PCM) analyst, specializing in the analysis of asbestos and refractory ceramic fibres, within the laboratories of the Technical Institute for Gas and Air (ITGA) in France. I have also enhanced my background in the field of Asbestos through a Diploma in Technical Diagnostics, building health and environmental safety, which includes expertise in asbestos, lead, gas, and Energy Performance Diagnostics. In 2025, I coordinated the first national study on asbestos in Togo, entitled “Assessment of Public Knowledge and Perception of Asbestos.”

What motivated you to launch this study in Togo ?
The issue of asbestos remains largely underexplored in Africa, even though its use has left a profound mark on the continent’s industrial history. During the Asbestonomy 2024 conference in Madrid, I closely followed the presentation of the President of OSHAfrica (Pan-African Occupational Safety and Health Organization), who drew attention to a concerning situation: a lack of information and awareness, limited understanding of the associated risks, and insufficient public policies. It was within this context that I decided to take action in Togo. Although asbestos has been banned there since December 1997, no scientific data previously existed regarding the population’s level of knowledge and perception of this hazard. This study was therefore approved and authorized by the Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources of Togo, which granted me an official authorization, and was carried out with the support of Mr. Dovi Amewu Hermann (HSE Specialist). My motivation was to fill this gap by conducting the first national survey on asbestos, in order to provide a reference framework to raise awareness, alert decision-makers, and guide public policy.

What are the main conclusions of the study ?
The study was conducted among the Togolese population, covering the five main regions of the country based on well-defined socio-demographic criteria. The results show that knowledge and perception of asbestos remain limited : a majority of respondents had never heard of it, only a minority considered themselves well-informed about its dangers, and many were unsure whether they had ever been in contact with asbestos-containing materials. These findings highlight the need to develop awareness and prevention initiatives to improve public understanding of the risks associated with this substance.

Why is this study important for Togo ? This study is important because it represents the first national survey of its kind in Togo. It provides new insights into the population’s perception and awareness of asbestos – a topic that had previously received very little attention. The findings underscore the need to strengthen awareness efforts and can serve as a valuable reference for researchers, policymakers, and local stakeholders to develop policies and actions tailored to the realities of the country.

What is the African dimension of this work ? The issue of asbestos is not unique to Togo ; it concerns the entire African continent. In many countries, the topic remains under-researched and largely absent from public health priorities, even though exposure to asbestos fibres can have serious consequences. My study in Togo illustrates this reality and can help foster a broader reflection across Africa, particularly in West Africa, Central Africa, and beyond. I hope it can serve as a starting point to encourage the sharing of experiences, including with countries that have not yet taken steps or initiated actions in this regard. The goal is to strengthen awareness at the continental level and to support a common advocacy effort for better asbestos management.

Plans for remediating the asbestos exposure
This study did not focus directly on the technical assessment of asbestos exposure, but it allowed us to identify several avenues to address it progressively. We believe it is essential to strengthen the regulatory framework, organize national awareness campaigns, and, above all, train specialists capable of detecting and managing asbestos safely. We also recommend establishing medical monitoring for the most exposed populations and developing appropriate infrastructures. Our ambition is for these actions to serve as a realistic foundation for gradually reducing asbestos-related risks and protecting public health.

So, what do you think? Seems like an amazing report for those of us sitting behind a desk in Colorado, but I would like to see the world-wide group review the work product and respond.