The people in Moldova will no longer be able to use roof slates and materials that contain asbestos. On December 29, Parliament adopted in the first reading a bill that bans the production, import and utilization of building materials and chemical products that contain asbestos and other chemical components that are dangerous for the environment, IPN reports.
Acting Minister of the Environment Valeriu Munteanu said in Parliament that the products and articles from asbestos that have been already used to build homes will continue to be used until they are eliminated. “Nobody will go to take the asbestos roof slates away from people’s homes. After the law takes effect, the products from asbestos that are in stores will be sold until there is none left,” he stated, noting that the bill is aimed at improving the quality of atmospheric air by eliminating products that contain asbestos.
After utilization, the asbestos slates will become waste and Parliament will have to adopt a new law that will stipulate how this waste will be liquidated. Valeriu Munteanu added that the state must assume the commitment to support the replacement of asbestos roof slates used by the people.
Democratic MP Valentina Buliga said that a state program on the replacement of roofs should be worked out. “I call on the team of the Ministry of the Environment to hasten the process of replacing the asbestos roof slates because I’m sure there are foreign partners that want Moldova to look in a different way,” he stated.
According to official data, about 70% of the homes in Moldova are covered with slates from asbestos.
