The Kang’ooki dumpsite. Industrial garbage collectors have been warned against dumping asbestos waste there. [Photo|Citizen]
Kiambu County Director of Environment, David Kimani Kuria, has warned industrial garbage collectors against dumping asbestos waste at Kang'ooki dumpsite in Makongeni, Thika.
Speaking at the dumpsite on Thursday, Kimani said that asbestos waste is carcinogenic and there are environmental guidelines that dictate how the waste should be disposed of.
"Asbestos waste has been proved to cause cancer to those who come into close contact with it. It is illegal to dump the waste in an open ground,” said Kimani.
The director who was on a regular inspection tour of the modern Kang'ooki dumpsite noted that the hazardous waste was coming from the neighbouring construction companies.
"Such waste should not be dumped without the authorisation of the county government and National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) officials,” he added.
Kimani said that the waste was a big health hazard to those who search for valuables at the dump site as well as residents in the surrounding areas of Kiganjo and Makongeni.
Asbestos fibres are used in corrugated sheet manufacturing but remain banned in Kenya.
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