Storm-Damaged Roofs Release Asbestos in Portugal, Fines & Free Cleanup Aid Available

The Portugal Directorate-General of Health (DGS) has warned that debris from Storm Kristin is laced with asbestos, a discovery that forces households—and the government—to rethink how post-storm clean-ups are handled.

Why This Matters

• Invisible fibres can kill – asbestos dust causes cancers that may only appear decades later.

• Older roofs at risk – any building erected before 2005 could contain the banned material.

• Fines exceed €48,000 for illegal removal or dumping, according to Portugal’s Environment Agency (APA).

• Licensed help is available – the state’s asbestos removal fund now reimburses up to 100 % of certified costs for public entities and some private homeowners.

The Silent Hazard Uncovered by Storm Kristin

Gale-force winds ripped away tiles and wall panels across the West and Centre of Portugal last week, scattering shards of the once-popular Lusalite roofing into gardens, pavements and even schoolyards. When these cement sheets snap, they release microscopic asbestos fibres. Public-health officials compare one fragment to “a loaded gun” if it is crushed under a car tyre or swept into the air by a broom.

Where Are the Hotspots?

Preliminary mapping by Portugal Civil Protection shows the highest concentration of damaged asbestos roofs in the districts of Leiria, Coimbra and Santarém. In one village near Pombal, volunteers collected more than 400 kg of broken fibro-cement after the storm—yet unofficial dumps still line back roads. Environmental group ZERO says it has logged over 70 citizen complaints in just three days.

Legal Framework and Enforcement Gaps

Portugal banned asbestos use in 2005, and Law 63/2018 obliges property owners to remove it when roofs deteriorate. However, Brussels tightened worker-exposure limits last year, and Lisbon has yet to transpose the directive, leaving an enforcement vacuum. ACT, the labour-safety inspectorate, admits it lacks inspectors trained in asbestos sampling, while rogue builders continue to offer cheap, illegal “quick fixes”.

Guidance for Property Owners and Volunteers

Do not touch suspect material. Even intact sheets can shed fibres if drilled or cut.

Cordone off the area and post a warning sign—under Decree-Law 266/2007, you are liable for third-party exposure on your premises.

Contact a licensed remover. The APA publishes an updated list of firms; prices average €15–€25/m², but subsidies may reduce that to zero for primary residences.

Report fly-tipping to SEPNA (GNR’s environment unit); fines start at €2,000 for individuals.

What This Means for Residents

For anyone living under a pre-2005 roof, Storm Kristin is a wake-up call. Home-insurance policies rarely cover asbestos removal, so neglecting a cracked tile now could translate into a health risk and a large out-of-pocket bill later. Renters can demand proof from landlords that repairs follow the legal protocol. Parents should ask schools whether playground debris has been professionally screened.

Next Steps for Authorities

The DGS plans a door-to-door awareness drive in affected parishes and is pushing the Cabinet for an emergency decree that would fast-track permit approvals for certified contractors. Municipalities are also lobbying for a 6-month VAT exemption on asbestos-free roofing materials, arguing it is cheaper than future cancer treatments. Until then, the safest approach is simple: treat every broken grey cement sheet as contaminated unless a lab test proves otherwise.