The Problem of Asbestos-Cement Sheets Disposal in the Kłobuck Poviat

Abstract

Asbestos-cement products (eternit) were a commonly used roofing material for residential and farm buildings. Due to the harmfulness of this product, in 1997 its production and use was banned in Poland. In 2002 the Polish government adopted a program aimed at the complete removal of these materials from buildings by 2032. Despite the possibility of obtaining funding for the removal of asbestos, the process is slow. Inhabitants of small communes often dismantle asbestos products in an inappropriate way on their own, which has a negative impact on the environment and poses a threat to human health. The article presents the results of the CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview) survey, identifying the methods of developing asbestos roofing over the last twenty-four years in five selected towns of the Kłobuck poviat. An „in situ” visual assessment of the identification of products in these localities was performed and indicators showing changes in the manner of their management were estimated. Moreover, the respondents also specified the future intention to neutralize the asbestos panels still on the buildings. It was found that in the analysed period, there was an increase in disassembly works carried out by companies specialised in the disposal of asbestos cement to the level of 72%, with a simultaneous decrease in the share of negative practices by 65%. Unfortunately, over 55% of farm buildings in the analysed area are still covered with eternit. Low environmental awareness and high costs of changing the roof covering make it impossible to solve this problem quickly.