Research shows that Asbestos roofing sheet is a hazardous material which causes cancer of the lungs in people who are exposed to it and also in persons who work in the factories that produce them.

The use of the substance is therefore banned in many countries. It is banned in Rwanda and the government is working on creating an effective and safe plan to remove all of the asbestos in that country. This will make Rwanda the first African nation not to carry any asbestos-containing materials.

However, in Ghana, many houses continue to be roofed with asbestos sheets, raising concerns about the government's pro-activeness in protecting citizens from exposure to the hazardous substance.

In an exclusive interview with the Public Agenda, the Head of Education Department of the Environmental Protection Agency, Emmanuel Salu confirmed that asbestos is harmful when it is not handled correctly; it is hazardous to the environment, and causes lung cancer when the dust particles are inhaled or accidentally consumed.

He explained that when it rains, the rain washes the dust on the roofing and carry them into streams, and in the process find their way into the food chain when such water is used in the preparation of food. The substance he added can also affect river fauna and again be passed on to humans through the consumption of such species.

Mr. Salu will however not recommend the banning of asbestos-use in Ghana, arguing that because they are not corrodible they are most suitable for coastal areas. He continued by saying that there is no clear evidence yet of asbestos-induced cancers in Ghana. "Given the risks involved in its handling, I will personally recommend tiles or aluminum or any other roofing sheet rather than Asbestos". He advised.

He cited Amorite, Crocidolite, and Chrysotile as the most hazardous of the asbestos minerals because of their long persistence in the lungs of exposed people. Chrysotile asbestos, like all other forms of asbestos, has produced tumors in animals. Mesotheliomas, he said, have been observed in people who were occupationally exposed to chrysotile, and among family members of the occupationally exposed, and residents who lived close to asbestos factories and mines.

Mr. Salu noted that asbestos roofing sheets become more dangerous when they are old, as they break up easily and their dust particles spread. To minimize the risk of asbestos handling, the sheets or asbestos material must be soaked in water when removing or working on them. A suitable wetting agent such as washing-up liquid must be introduced into the water before saturation. Additionally, the EPA Head of Education recommends that operatives wear RPE/PPE (Respiratory/Personal Protective Equipment) to protect them from inhalation of dust particles.

He explained that the risk of infection only increases as a person's exposure to the fibers increases over a longer period of time. Disease is very unlikely to result from a single, high-level exposure or from a short period of exposure to lower levels, he pointed out.

He urged the public to notify a licensed asbestos inspector when they suspect asbestos contamination in their homes or buildings. Chances, he said, are that if the material is not visibly damaged, crumbling or flaking there is no friable asbestos in the air.

Current trend indicates the worldwide rates at which people are diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases is likely to increase through the next decade. Analysts have estimated that the total cost of asbestos litigation in the USA alone is over $250 million.

Other asbestos-related diseases are; Asbestos warts: caused when the sharp fibers lodge in the skin and are overgrown causing benign callus-like growths; Pleural plaques: discrete fibrous or partially calcified thickened area which can be seen on X-rays of individuals exposed to asbestos.

Although pleural plaques are themselves asymptomatic, in some patients this develops into pleural thickening. Diffuse pleural thickening is similar to pleural thickening and can sometimes be associated with asbestosis. Usually no symptoms shown but if exposure is extensive, it can cause lung impairment.