Asbestos roofing, banned and cancerous material, still used by Kenyans
Asbestos roofing, banned and cancerous material, still used by Kenyans
Many Kenyans view property ownership as a big achievement. However, the exorbitant costs of building supplies and the rising cost of living frequently force some Kenyans to use less expensive materials and take other cost-saving methods to stay within their means.
As a result, this might lead to the building of subpar homes that are prone to structural instability and might even offer health problems, possibly resulting in chronic diseases.Homes that use asbestos-based materials, particularly in roofing applications, are a stark illustration of this problem. Because of its versatility, asbestos is used in a variety of construction projects, including soundproofing, ceilings, tiles, and insulation materials. However, using it has major health risks, thus it should be used with caution.
Asbestos is popularly found in various government institution roofings, including hospitals, universities, education centers, as well as coffee and tea estates, and county government offices.
Despite the fact that the use of asbestos was outlawed in 2006 due to the material’s cancer-causing properties, some residential homes still have roofs made of the substance.Unfortunately, a large number of Kenyans who live or work in such structures are still uninformed of the harmful vapors they might be breathing in as a result of asbestos roofs. Due to its light weight and simplicity of installation, asbestos has historically been a popular roofing material.
When left intact and undisturbed, asbestos products do not present a health danger, according to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). “It becomes a concern when the material releases fibers into the air as a result of injury, disruption, or deterioration over time.
The risk of inhaling the fibers and contracting the related disorders rises with exposure to the fiber-containing air, according to NEMA. Humans are susceptible to diseases like lung cancer when exposed to such substances.
The potential of inhalation is increased by the fact that the natural mineral’s small threads can hang suspended in the air for hours. The asbestos sheets should be wet before being removed from the roofing because of the health dangers, and if they crack, users should spray the designated area.
To prevent cracks, the sheets should not be flung or slid against one another. Every homeowner that removes asbestos-containing sheets should follow the NEMA’s instructions and dispose of them in places that are off-limits to the public. The number of cancer-related disorders is decreased by removing such roofing in the proper manner. The creation of clearer and stricter criteria for handling dangerous material has long been pushed upon NEMA.
The National Guidelines on Safe Management and Disposal of Asbestos, which were released in 2013, have drawn criticism for failing to adequately address the issue. In order to preserve lives, experts advise adopting alternate materials whenever possible.
