DTI asked to monitor fly ash content of cement

MANILA, Philippines - The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (Cemap) is asking the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to monitor the fly ash being added to blended cement because it may cause early deterioration of structures.

In an interview with reporters, DTI Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare Zenaida C. Maglaya said Cemap approached them to complain about fly ash that is being added to cement because it may be substandard.

Maglaya said cement manufacturers are concerned that legitimate cement may weaken because of the fly ash thereby causing infrastructures to weaken.

Maglaya said they have already asked the Cemap to come up with a study on the use of fly ash because according to the group even with substandard fly ash the damage may be detected years after the structure is built.

She said Cemap would like the DTI to ensure the quality of the fly ash. However, she said they are asking for a formal study on the matter in order to substantiate the claim of the industry. Maglaya said blended cement should already be the responsibility of the user and not the government because the industry has voluntary standards. Now, Cemap would like to include fly ash under the mandatory list in order to ensure the quality of the material.

“We are asking them for a study because they said it will take years to detect damage,” Maglaya told reporters. Maglaya said the industry already have a list of standards but they are not being enforced. She said the proposal now is to it mandatory. If this should happen, Maglaya said the Department of Public Works and Highways will be responsible for enforcing the standards.

She said these will include hollow blocks, slabs and other items that are not purely cement. “We want them to submit a study as soon as possible so the technical committee can review it,” Maglaya said.

Cement is sold between P190 and P195 per 40 kg bag, the price monitoring report of the DTI showed.

According to Wikipedia, fly ash is used as a replacement for some of the Portland cement content of concrete because of its pozzolanic properties. It can replace up to 30 percent by mass of Portland cement, and can add to the concrete’s final strength and increase its chemical resistance and durability.