Asbestos hazard after earthquake 

2023-02-18 14:44:11


	 

	VAN - ASTA President Kenan Yıldız, who warned against asbestos used in buildings destroyed in the earthquake, stated that besides asbestos, silicon, lead, PCB, electronic wastes, destruction in sewer systems, mold and fungi in buildings will also cause serious health problems.

	 

	In the earthquakes that took place in Maraş on February 6, 39 thousand 672 people have lost their lives so far, while thousands of people are waiting to be rescued from the debris of tens of thousands of collapsed buildings, the authorities have started debris removal works. Destroyed buildings harbor unseen dangers. Hazardous waste materials, especially asbestos, which occur during the demolition of buildings, are one of the important problems to be experienced during the debris removal phase in the earthquake area.

	 

	Asbestos (asbestos/asbestos), a fibrous carcinogenic mineral, has more than 3,000 uses. It is widely used in aircraft, automobile industry, machine constructions as a lubricant and sealing element, in the construction industry, in heat and sound insulation. Mesothelioma, known as lung and abdominal cancer, causes asbestosis and cancer diseases.

	 

	BANNED SUBSTANCE ASBEST

	 

	While asbestos was marked as a definite carcinogen by the World Health Organization in 1980, the International Agency for Research on Cancer included asbestos in the 1st degree carcinogen group. With the regulation made in 2010 in parallel with the European Union (EU) harmonization laws in Turkey, the sale, import and production of asbestos products were banned.

	 

	DANGER AFTER EARTHQUAKE

	 

	Kenan Yıldız, President of the Asbestos and Hazardous Wastes Association (ASTA), stated that serious measures should be taken in the post-earthquake debris removal works. Pointing out that asbestos in building structures poses a danger to the participants in the search and rescue work and all citizens in the region, Yıldız emphasized that asbestos causes many diseases. Yıldız also said, “Silicone, lead, PCB, electronic wastes, deterioration of food under the debris, destruction of sewer systems, molds and fungi in buildings will also create serious health problems.”

	 

	MEASURE SHOULD BE TAKEN

	 

	Pointing out that asbestos is also found in the use of buildings and in electronic household items under the debris, Yıldız said: "If no precautions are taken, major problems may arise. While debris removal is being done, FFP3 type masks should be distributed to employees and people around. If the mask cannot be accessed, equipment such as a surgical mask should be used to reduce exposure. Debris must be watered down and removed as such. Asbestos found in the debris should not be poured into drinking water and stream beds. Impermeable ground should be created in debris dump areas. Hazardous wastes should be collected in such a way that they do not form hills after they are separated."