“Doctors Link Asbestos Roofs to Persistent Headaches”

Medical experts have warned that residing in homes with asbestos roofing and ceilings, as well as lead-containing paints and pipes, may put individuals at risk of chronic headaches, abdominal pain, lung cancer, infertility, and developmental issues in children.

The physicians explained that while asbestos was commonly used in Nigerian homes between the 1970s and 1990s due to its affordability, prolonged exposure to asbestos and lead-based materials can have lasting harmful effects on the nervous, respiratory, and reproductive systems.

Experts emphasised that pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure, which can result in developmental delays, behavioural issues, and serious health complications.

According to the World Health Organization, asbestos is a potent carcinogen responsible for a significant portion of occupational cancer deaths. Exposure to asbestos is linked to lung, larynx, and ovarian cancers, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Combined exposure to asbestos and tobacco smoke further elevates the risk of lung cancer.

National regulations, including Section 14 (I) of the National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations, 2011, prohibit the use of asbestos in construction. Section 13 (8) also bans lead-based paints in building structures. In 2018, the Lagos State Government issued warnings about the cancer risks associated with asbestos ceilings.

Research shows that asbestos-containing materials were widely used in Nigeria’s construction industry from the 1970s to the 1990s, including in roofing sheets, ceiling panels, cement pipes, flooring, window putty, and other structural components. The affordability of these materials and weak regulatory enforcement allowed their widespread use. Even after the ban, asbestos roofs and ceilings remain in older homes, particularly those built over 30 years ago.

Dr. Ekaete Tobin, a Public Health Physician at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State, said that while asbestos was a cost-effective option decades ago, people living in homes with these materials face serious health risks. She noted that lead, commonly used in paints and pipes, can contaminate air and water, causing neurological, hematological, and reproductive harm.

“Lead in pipes can leach into drinking water, accumulating in the blood and causing anaemia, chronic fatigue, headaches, memory loss, irritability, and poor concentration,” Tobin explained. “Pregnant women exposed to lead risk complications that can affect fetal development, while children are vulnerable to behavioural and developmental issues.”

She added that undamaged asbestos poses minimal risk but becomes hazardous when broken, torn, or during replacement. “Replacement should be carried out by experts with respiratory protection and proper ventilation. Safer alternatives, such as PVC ceilings, should be considered.”

Tobin advised residents to maintain hygiene and minimize exposure to dust from old materials. “Washing hands before meals, wet cleaning floors, and using modern, lead-free paints reduce exposure risks,” she said.

Dr. Olusina Ajidahun, a physician of Internal Medicine, highlighted that homes built in the 1960s and 1970s often contain lead-based paints, pipes, and asbestos ceilings. Prolonged exposure can cause lead poisoning in children, resulting in headaches, constipation, weakness, and memory problems. Asbestos components also increase the risk of lung cancer, especially for builders or individuals frequently handling the material.

Ajidahun explained that lead accumulates over time, affecting multiple body systems. Gastrointestinal accumulation can cause persistent abdominal pain and constipation, while neurological accumulation may trigger chronic headaches and memory issues. Lead exposure also raises the risk of infertility and can cause stillbirths or developmental issues in children.

He urged individuals living in such homes who experience related symptoms to seek medical evaluation and treatment. Ajidahun further recommended health, safety, and environmental surveys to ensure that high-lead materials are not used in residential construction, alongside public education and the demolition of old homes with asbestos, lead-containing pipes, and paints.