Asbestos has struck numerous people’s attention following a directive by the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change H.E Adan Duale on the removal of all asbestos materials on constructed buildings and in the environment. It is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral of six types generally with all characterized by long and thin fibrous crystals.
The asbestos trait that makes it most harmful is the presence of microscopic fibrils that are easily released into the atmosphere through the simplest processes. Once inhaled the fibers are renowned to be causative agents of dangerous lung conditions inclusive of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis among others.
Asbestos despite its use dating back to the 18th century and earlier periods where it was a critical component in the artifacts creation as well as ceramics was delved in by larger mining companies in the late 19th century. The large-scale production of asbestos was catalyzed by the realization of its qualities that made the construction approaches more desirable, stylish, and assured of longevity.
This deems the majority of constructions done before the 1980s to have contained asbestos as it was considered an excellent thermal, and electrical insulator and was highly fire resistant. It was in the quality of being fire-retardant that asbestos earned a major reputation in the construction industry hence its soaring highly.
The use of asbestos became increasingly widespread toward the end of the 19th century when its diverse applications included fire-retardant coatings, concrete, bricks, pipes and fireplace cement, heat-, fire-, and acid-resistant gaskets, pipe insulation, ceiling insulation, fireproof drywall, flooring, roofing, lawn furniture, and drywall joint compound.
However, in the 1970s there came an increased knowledge about the adverse effects that it has on human health which prompted the quick removal and banning of this material from continued usage. The bans were sounded all across the global space from Russia to Japan, to the USA, to Mexico, and even in the UK.
Despite the increased knowledge of the harmful impacts that asbestos has on human health it is still living within and amongst us. According to Peter Coling, technical director at Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward Chartered Surveyors, estimates that 30% of asbestos is found in ceiling coatings, 15% in boiler flue pipes and ducts, and 15% in floor tiles.
A further 15% is found in areas such as cold-water storage tanks, insulation materials, eaves, gutters, and rainwater pipes, while 10% is in cement panel ceilings, 10% in outbuildings, and 5% in fire protection materials, for example on the underside of integral garage roofs and in cupboards enclosing boilers.

Asbestos Health Impact
The substance having numerous fibers is renowned for causing an increase of hazardous serious health concerns in humans and animals. One of the most common diseases associated with chronic asbestos exposure is asbestosis (scarring of the lungs due to asbestos inhalation) and mesothelioma (cancer associated with asbestos).
Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer and often leads to a life expectancy of less than 12 months after diagnosis, deeming it more harmful to humanity and animals. however, chrysotile asbestos has also produced tumors in animals and is a recognized cause of asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma in humans.
Even though the alarming risks unveiled about the fibers of this archaic gem have struck confusion amongst citizens as to the procedure of disposal and withdrawal of these materials from residential areas without harming people’s health.
The citizens are calling on policymakers, stakeholders, and actors in the construction as well as safety space to collaborate on guiding them on safe means of ensuring lives are saved instead of being endangered more during the extraction and disposal times.