Asbestos News

While the small African country of Rwanda has become more dedicated to removing asbestos from public buildings such as schools and hospitals, many of these facilities are concerned about a lack of funding to replace roofs that contain the carcinogen.

According to The New Times, 630,000-square-kilometers of asbestos have been replaced thus far by a total of 130 private firms that were trained by the Rwanda Housing Authority. However, Andrew Kalisa, the owner of APRED, told the news source that the lack of funding has stunted this work.

"We value the fact that asbestos should be replaced for the good health of our students, but we can't do it now because we have no money to buy alternative roofing materials," said Kalisa.

Martin Masabo, the headmaster of one public school, added that the facility has delayed removal because of lack of finances, according to the news source.

Replacing asbestos-containing roofs can be essential as the inhalation of the carcinogenic mineral fibers can lead to the development of lung cancer, asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma, a rare cancer that attacks the tissues surrounding a majority of the body's internal organs.