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ToxinFree
SENTINEL ARCHIVE / CASE #003

Algeria

Complete ban on all types of asbestos and asbestos-containing products under Executive Decree No. 09-321, published in the Official Journal on October 14, 2009. Algeria's asbestos-cement industry dates to 1950 when Eternit built a factory in Algiers. Four factories were shut down by government order in July 2008 after failing to meet workplace exposure limits, with levels reaching 6.7-13 fibres/cc against a 0.1 fibre/cc standard.

2009Full Ban
2009
Year Banned
—
Mesothelioma Rate
—
Data not available
1960s-2000s
Peak Usage Era

Regulatory Timeline

  1. 1950s

    1. 1950Event

      Eternit de Gué de Constantine constructs Algeria's first asbestos-cement factory in Algiers

      ↗ Source

  2. 1970s

    1. 1977Event

      Three additional asbestos-cement factories built in Meftah (Blida), Zahana (Mascara), and Bordj-Bou-Arréridj

      ↗ Source

  3. 1990s

    1. 1998Regulation

      Government adopts 'controlled use' principle for asbestos; Algiers factory closed by government order due to irreparable conditions

      ↗ Source

  4. 2000s

    1. 2003Regulation

      Legislation sets workplace airborne asbestos limit of 0.1 fibre/cc, to be achieved by January 2005

      ↗ Source
    2. 2008Regulation

      Minister Cherif Rahmani orders closure of all four remaining asbestos-cement factories (July 28) after airborne levels found at 6.7-13 fibres/cc; 480 Meftah workers receive redundancy up to 70 months' wages

      ↗ Source
    3. 2009Legislation

      Executive Decree No. 09-321 bans all types of asbestos and asbestos products, published in the Official Journal on October 14

      ↗ Source

Material Identification Guide

Common materials still present in buildings

asbestos-cement roofing sheets

HIGH RISKNon-friable

1930–2000

asbestos-cement flat sheets

HIGH RISKNon-friable

1930–2000

asbestos-cement water pipes

MODERATENon-friable

1930–1990

thermal insulation

HIGH RISKFriable

1935–1978

↗Learn more

What To Do If You Live Here

  • Your country has banned asbestos, but older buildings may still contain legacy materials.
  • Buildings built before the ban year may contain asbestos-containing materials.
  • Hire a certified asbestos surveyor before any renovation or demolition work.
  • Do not disturb older building materials without professional testing.

Check Your Property

Enter your building's age and type for a personalized asbestos risk assessment.

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Sources

Last updated: 2026-03-24

Information aggregated from public sources including IBAS, EPA, and WHO. Not legal or medical advice.

How we source our data →