For over half a century, the building materials that contain asbestos fibers have been widely used in Moldova as they are cheap and accessible. They do not pose a danger to the people’s health until they are not cut or holed.

Contacted by IPN, Veaceslav Vasiliev, of the National Public Health Center, said the people working in the construction sector are the most exposed to getting cancer. The persons whose houses are covered with asbestos slates are also exposed to risks when the slates start to crack and eliminate asbestos dust.

Asbestosis appears in 7-10 years, while the cancerous effects in 20-25 years. The human body is anyway different and reacts differently to the provocations of the disease.

Veaceslav Vasiliev said that a national program will be worked out in Moldova to ban the use of construction materials that contain asbestoses fibers. Under a Government Decision, a number of ministries have been involved in formulating a national program to reduce the negative effects of asbestos on the population’s health.