Concerns raised over buildings with asbestos roofing in Meru
Asbestos roofing on buildings housing the Meru County Directorate of Environment. The county government has been accused of failing to sensitise the public on the health risk posed by asbestos. PHOTO | GITONGA MARETE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Key buildings, including the Meru post office and county Environment department offices, have asbestos roofs.
At the police station, a resident claimed that at least six people have died of cancer-related ailments.
County Director of Health Mutabari Inanga said they have warned people about the dangers the materials pose.
The environment and health departments in Meru County have been accused of failing to enlighten the public on the health risks posed by asbestos roofing. The material remains on the roofs of many buildings in Meru town.
Residents say the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) and the county environment and health departments have done nothing to enforce regulations on removal of the roofing materials, known to have cancer causing elements.
