Ukraine is dealing with a rising health and environmental challenge due to rubble from war-damaged buildings that contain asbestos, a hazardous material known to cause serious respiratory diseases. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has issued a warning about the risks, emphasizing that Ukraine lacks the infrastructure or facilities to handle asbestos-contaminated debris. This situation has raised concerns, especially among workers involved in rebuilding efforts, who may be exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos fibers. According to a report by the Kyiv Post, citing UNEP in May 2025, more than 70% of the roofs of residential and public buildings in Ukraine are made of asbestos-cement corrugated sheets. This material was also commonly used in fences, water supply pipes, and heating systems. The destruction caused by ground operations and Russian bombings has worsened the situation. A study by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) in February 2026 found that nearly 416,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed during that month. Although the study does not specify how many of these buildings contained asbestos, a rough calculation suggests that as many as 291,200 structures might have been contaminated, which is a cause for serious concern. A local study titled European Green Dimensions: Fundamental, Applied, and Industrial Aspects, supported by the European Union and co-led by the KSE, provided a more detailed look at the issue. Conducted in seven communities in the Mykolaiv region in southern Ukraine, covering an area of 33 hectares, the study found 713.82 tons of construction materials containing asbestos. It also warned of potential contamination of soil, air, and water due to the poor management of demolition debris and waste. The study analyzed the recovery of concrete, bricks, wood, and metals, highlighting the broader challenge of reconstruction: how to recover useful materials while managing hazardous components. Pier Carlo Sandei, the head of UNEP programs in Kiev, confirmed on September 24 that Ukraine has no proper facilities or landfills for handling asbestos-contaminated debris or other hazardous waste. All rubble is currently piled up outdoors without any sorting of hazardous waste or recycling system. As a result, garbage collectors and residents are at serious risk of exposure to asbestos fibers. The 2022 Ukrainian public health law banned the use of asbestos in new buildings, but no regulations have been planned for removing it from older structures, unlike the gradual process that has taken place in Europe. Asbestos can seriously damage the lungs and cause fatal diseases even decades after exposure. It has been banned in Europe since 2005, but Ukraine continues to face significant challenges in managing the legacy of this hazardous material.