Studies say chrysotile asbestos not health hazardous
Two studies conducted by the University of Moratuwa and the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) on chrysotile asbestos roofing products, were launched in Colombo yesterday, and the findings said the popular roofing sheet type is not hazardous to human health.
The two studies were launched at an event organised by the Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka (CCI) and the Chrysotile Information Centre of Sri Lanka (CIC).
At the launch, the reports were presented to Science, Technology and Research Minister Susil Premajayantha and Russian Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Yuri B. Materiy, by CCI CEO Nissanka N. Wijeratne. Sri Lanka imports majority of its chrysotile from Russia.
The findings of the study titled ‘Study on usage of chrysotile fiber in cement roofing sheets’ conducted by the Moratuwa University was presented by Professor Asoka Perera of Civil Engineering Department of the University.
The study was based on comparison of quality of chrysotile and non-chrysotile fiber products. Findings of the study said asbestos is the most suitable roofing material for Sri Lanka and other alternatives yet to be considered are expensive for a middle income country like Sri Lanka.
Prof. Perera said chrysotile is an economically wonderful material and a good roofing sheet.
“The resistance and overall performance of Chrysotile is higher and much better than alternatives. The rationale to ban such a well performing material is not clear,” he said.
He said no proper study had been conducted to consider the ban of asbestos in the country.
“Blue fiber, which was harmful, was banned in the past and no one raised objections because it was health hazardous. However, chrysotile is not hazardous,” he reiterated.