Risk in the use of asbestos cement roofing sheets in Sri Lanka

Abstract

In presence, with increase in the global population, need for house is a changing task. Even though many researches are focused on new construction materials, some of the old techniques and materials are no longer used nowadays. Asbestos can be identified as one of them. To date, more than 40 countries, including all members of the European Union, have banned the use of all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile. However, in the USA asbestos cement corrugated roofing sheets and flat sheets are not banned. The case is the same for many developing countries and they still struggling with identifying the risk and and identifying how to live with the risk. This study was mainly focused to a repair work done on war damaged houses in Sri Lanka and to identify the awareness of the risk and the use of asbestos in those areas.