Asbestos is a hazardous material that poses serious health risks to humans and the environment. While we now understand the life-threatening risks of using asbestos, it was once one of the most popular materials for roofing.
Asbestos was first developed in the 1800s. A European chemist, who initially referred to his creation as Eternit (the Latin term meaning “everlasting”), filed a patent for asbestos-cement roofing shingles in 1893. By the early 1900s, asbestos had become a top choice for roofing products due to issues with early roofing materials.
In Uganda, many historical schools were roofed with asbestos, as it was the trend in the construction industry at the time. Jinja’s Busoga College Mwiri, Main Street Primary School, Walukuba West Primary School, and Mwiri Primary School were all roofed with asbestos.
However, MMI Steel Company, in collaboration with Seva International, is running a campaign to phase out this toxic substance. On Friday, January 10, 2025, the two companies donated 120 iron sheets to Walukuba West Primary School, a well-known educational institution in Jinja City.
“These iron sheets will be used in the renovation of one of the classroom blocks that has asbestos,” said Mr. Ziyadi Tamuzadde, the headteacher of Walukuba West Primary School.
The primary school, which also has a section for pupils with special needs, has a population of over 1,000 learners. It has seven classroom blocks, most of which are roofed with asbestos.
Mr. Tamuzadde added, “We know that asbestos is harmful to health. If children learn in classrooms with these outdated materials, it affects them, potentially causing cancer in the young ones.”
These hazardous materials can cause respiratory problems. Asbestos fibers can lead to scarring, inflammation, and damage to lung tissue, causing respiratory issues like asbestosis.
The headteacher is confident that the provision of modern roofing materials will be far more beneficial than the asbestos. He mentioned that some parents even hesitate to send their children to such schools because of the health risks.
Mr. Kumar Raychura from MMI Steel stated that providing the iron sheets to the school would create a healthier environment for the students.
“It’s all about helping the learners to study well when they are healthy,” Mr. Raychura said.
Mr. Jaman Mohan, the director of Seva International, stressed, “We feel very happy when we give. Serving humanity is serving God.”
Seva International had previously introduced a free breakfast program at Walukuba West Primary School, located in the Southern Division East of Jinja City. Every day, learners receive porridge mixed with milk and sugar.
Mr. Mohan believes, “When a child eats at school, they will study better in class.”
Ms. Susan Nalubanga, the chairperson of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), commended the Indian community for helping to protect the lives of the young learners who might otherwise fall victim to asbestos-related diseases.
“This block had been neglected because of its condition. It was putting our learners at risk. It could affect a child’s life, and they could even die at a young age,” said Ms. Nalubanga, the PTA chairperson.
Roofing materials continue to evolve as the world gains access to better materials and technologies. Roofing materials also vary depending on the type of roofing.
Whether it is asphalt, concrete, or other materials, almost all petroleum-based roofing materials once contained asbestos fibers.
Mr. Hassan Latif, a marketing executive at MMI, said that the provision of ‘Biboko’ iron sheets started at Mwiri Primary School, Main Street Primary School, and later extended to Walukuba West. All classroom blocks with asbestos were renovated.
Asbestos had a long history as the perceived best roofing material on the market. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were aware of the dangers posed by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. This threat was especially harmful to manufacturing employees and installation workers. It wasn’t until 1989 that serious action was taken to halt the use of asbestos. The Asbestos Ban and Phase-Out Rule effectively ended the use of asbestos in roofing products, which could cause serious diseases such as mesothelioma.
Given these reasons, it is clear that asbestos should no longer be used due to its significant health, environmental, economic, and social risks. Safer alternative materials and innovative technologies should be adopted instead.
