Lagos Warns Against Use Of Asbestos In Homes (Cancer Alert).

The Lagos State Government has alerted the public against the use of asbestos as ceiling in homes, saying it could cause cancer. The State Commissioner for Housing, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, said:

“Few years ago, Lagos State Government stopped the use of asbestos for ceiling because of its carcinogenic effect; we now use PVCs (plastic) in our estates and buildings.

“Asbestos ceilings are carcinogenic, it causes cancer and if you have it in your house you should try and change it.’’

Lawal called for mass enlightenment on the use of asbestos in public and private buildings. NAN reports that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an intergovernmental agency and a part of the World Health Organization with its headquarters in Lyon, France, classifies asbestos as “carcinogenic to humans,’’ based on its ability to cause mesothelioma and cancers of the lung, larynx (voice box) and ovaries.

Lawal said the state government was exploring other alternatives and innovations that would allow for the use of cheaper available local raw materials to bring down the cost of houses.

On the Green Building Initiative, the commissioner disclosed that the state was partnering with Echostone, an international eco-friendly construction firm, to develop its affordable homes initiative.

He explained that the method ensured that a 40 per cent of carbon footprints were reduced in line with global climatic change initiatives.