06/08/2026
# A Silent Danger on Our Rooftops: Drying Food on Asbestos Sheets
I am writing this article out of serious concern about the continued use and unsafe handling of asbestos materials in many African countries, particularly Zimbabwe.
The photograph accompanying this article was taken at a house roofed with asbestos cement sheets. The occupants had placed maize directly on the roof to dry in the sun before taking it for grinding into mealie-meal.
This raises an important public-health question: **Should food that will later be eaten be placed directly on an asbestos roof?**
The answer should be a clear **no**.
According to the World Health Organization, all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile asbestos, are carcinogenic to humans. Exposure can cause serious diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, cancer of the larynx and ovaries, and asbestosis. WHO reports that more than 50 member states have prohibited the use of asbestos and recommends ending the use of all forms of asbestos worldwide.
Asbestos cement roofing may contain fibres that are bound within the cement. However, as the roofing becomes old, weathered, cracked, scratched or damaged, fibres may be released. Rubbing, walking on, scraping, drilling, cutting or repeatedly handling asbestos-containing materials can increase the possibility of releasing tiny fibres into the surrounding air. These fibres may be too small to see.
The greatest established danger comes from **breathing asbestos fibres into the lungs**. The health effects of swallowing asbestos fibres are less clearly understood and are generally considered less serious than inhalation. Nevertheless, food should never be deliberately exposed to asbestos dust or placed on a surface that may release harmful fibres.
When maize is spread across an old asbestos roof, people may walk on the roof, move the maize around or drag containers across the sheets. This can scratch or disturb the roofing. Dust and microscopic material from the roof may also come into contact with the maize.
The maize is then collected, ground into mealie-meal and consumed by families, including children. Even where the exact level of risk from swallowing asbestos-contaminated food is uncertain, this is an unnecessary and completely avoidable form of exposure.
# # Is It Lack of Knowledge or Ignorance?
In many communities, people may not understand the dangers associated with asbestos. Some may believe that because the roofing has been used for many years, it must be safe. Others may not have access to clean drying platforms, tarpaulins or suitable food-storage facilities.
We should therefore avoid simply blaming people. The bigger issue may be a lack of effective public education.
Our Ministry of Health and Child Care, local authorities, environmental health departments, schools, community leaders, churches, traditional leaders and the media should work together to educate communities about the dangers of disturbing asbestos.
People should be advised to:
* Never dry maize, vegetables, meat or any other food directly on asbestos roofing.
* Avoid walking, sitting or placing heavy objects on asbestos roofs.
* Never drill, cut, sand, scrape or pressure-wash asbestos sheets.
* Keep children away from damaged asbestos materials.
* Avoid sweeping or handling broken pieces without professional guidance.
* Seek advice from properly trained specialists when asbestos roofing is damaged or requires removal.
An asbestos roof that is in good condition and left undisturbed generally presents less danger than one that is damaged or repeatedly handled. People should therefore not attempt to remove asbestos roofing themselves, as improper removal can release more fibres into the air.
# # This Is Not Simply About Selling Roofing Sheets
I am not raising this concern merely because I am involved in the roofing industry or because I want people to buy alternative roofing sheets.
This is a genuine concern for the health of our communities.
I have seen many families drying maize and other foods on top of their houses. In doing so, they may be disturbing old asbestos roofing while also allowing food to come into direct contact with the roof.
We need a national awareness campaign explaining where asbestos may be found, how it becomes dangerous and what people should do when their homes contain asbestos materials.
Protecting public health begins with education. Let us speak about this danger in our communities, workplaces, churches, schools and families.
**Please do not dry food on asbestos roofs. A convenient drying place today should not become a health risk tomorrow.**
What can we do, as individuals, businesses, health professionals and community leaders, to educate and protect our people?
