Sarajevo Canton faces asbestos risks in residential buildings

Asbestos remains a significant safety concern for numerous residential buildings in Sarajevo Canton. According to a registry of collective housing damaged during the war dated February 2, 2026, there are 498 recorded instances of asbestos roofs and 72 instances of asbestos facades. While these figures do not necessarily represent 570 unique buildings, the data indicates the material is widespread across several municipalities, with the highest concentration found in Novi Grad.

Although the use of asbestos is prohibited, the material persists on older structures, necessitating professional removal and specialized waste disposal. In response, the Sarajevo Canton Government has launched a program to rehabilitate buildings damaged by war activities. For the 2026 budget, 470,000 KM has been allocated for the repair of roofs and elevators, with asbestos-containing roofs designated as a priority. However, it remains unclear how many buildings this funding will cover or the total amount required to fully resolve the issue.