Egerton University has initiated talks with the County Government of Nakuru aimed at finding a suitable site to dispose of asbestos waste generated from the learning institution’s old structures that are undergoing renovations.
The 84-year-old institution’s management has indicated that the deliberations are in accordance with National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) guidelines and that the public will be fully involved in establishment of the disposal site, citing the need to safeguard human health and the environment.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Isaac Kibwage said they were seeking the county’s intervention in contracting a permanent disposal pit with concrete to seal the hazardous material and prevent it coming into contact with human beings, animals, water and the atmosphere.
Across the globe, 55 countries including the US, New Zealand, Australia and Egypt have banned the use of asbestos as a roofing material. Kenya banned its use in 2006.
Despite the ban on the use of asbestos in Kenya in 2006, and the associated increase in cancer cases, the material is still in use in water piping systems and roofs in many parts of the country.
Professor Kibwage made the appeal during discussions with Governor Susan Kihika over the proposed establishment of County Aggregation Industrial Park (CAIP) at the university’s Ngongongeri farm within Njoro Sub-County.
The proposed Egerton industrial park which is a collaborative project between the university, the County Government and the National Government will sit on 200 acres.
100 acres have been earmarked for establishment of the CAIP, while a further 100 acres have been set aside for putting up an Export Processing Zone (EPZ).
Professor Kibwage said there was a need to take workers renovating old buildings with piping and roofing asbestos materials through training on how to handle the waste and put precautions in place to ensure that members of the public are safe from disposed asbestos products.
At the meeting convened at the Governor’s board room at the County headquarters in Nakuru Professor Kibwage said the university will ensure that it follows all NEMA regulations and specifications in disposing of the asbestos waste.
Legal Notice No.121 of the Environmental Management and Coordination (Waste Management) Regulations classifies waste containing asbestos as hazardous waste. In addition, the Legal Notice requires that hazardous waste be disposed of in a specified manner as approved by NEMA.
From the 1940s to 1970s, the construction industry preferred asbestos materials because they were cheaper, light and easy to install. Additionally, asbestos does not corrode under chemical exposure — it is fire resistant and a poor heat and electricity conductor, thus a preferred insulator.
Asbestos is also a versatile material that finds use in various construction aspects, such as soundproofing, ceilings, tiles, and insulation materials, among others.
However, Studies show that asbestos breaks down into toxic microscopic fibres and people living under them inhale and ingest the particles. Inhaled asbestos particles can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma (a scarring of lung tissue), asbestosis and other upper respiratory tract infections.
Responding to the Vice-Chancellors concerns, County Executive Committee Member in charge of Lands, Housing, and Physical Planning, Mr John Kihagi assured that the devolved unit’s administration was mapping out regions where asbestos products were still in use.
While affirming that the County Government was committed to collaborating with the institution, contractors and individual developers in safe disposal of asbestos materials, Mr Kihagi said Nakuru was leading by example as it had eliminated the deadly roofing materials in over 70 percent of its public institutions such as schools and housing estates.
The Nakuru Water Sewerage and Sanitation Company (Nawassco) is also replacing the old water piping systems that were put up in 1950s and 1960s that still use asbestos pipes.
The CECM explained “Asbestos has been proven to be dangerous, and we are working round the clock to replace it in all our institutions and estates. Weather-beaten asbestos roofing can release microscopic asbestos to the air and water,”
“The dangers of handling asbestos without following the correct and safe procedure are enormous, which is why there are guidelines in place. Asbestos materials are supposed to be disposed in a licensed dump site in a special and stipulated way since it is highly hazardous,” he added.
According to Mr Kihagi one challenge of disposing of the product stems from a culture of some Kenyans refusing to let go of removed asbestos roofing and instead using them to construct other structures.
The CECM observed that regulations by NEMA on asbestos disposal require that it should be buried in the ground and encased in cement to prevent it from seeping into the ground and contaminating the soil and possibly water aquifers.
Mr Kihagi said implementation of the disposal process required a collaborative process involving both the Government and NEMA as well as stringent laws on enforcement.
The WHO reports that approximately 125 million people in their workplaces and homes are exposed to asbestos.
The International Labour Organization estimates that over 100,000 lives are lost annually from asbestos-related complications. Asbestos roofing has been named as one of the leading causes of lung and stomach cancer in the world.
The global prohibition for asbestos started over four decades ago. The ban was occasioned by public health concerns in countries where asbestos was heavily used.
For example, the UK imported many asbestos during the industrialization period when their construction industry was booming. It later had the highest cases of asbestos-related complications, especially in the heavy engineering industry where the material was heavily used.
A 2006 study by the International Conference on Health, Environment and Justice, revealed that asbestos dust can easily travel through the air into the water supply system, while cancer researchers reveal that working in old buildings with ageing and decomposing asbestos materials can increase the risk of lung cancer.
Nevertheless, in Kenya, asbestos roofing sheets are still in use on numerous private homes, various government institutions including police stations, hospitals, universities, education centers, as well as coffee and tea estates, and county government offices.
By Jane Ngugi
