Fact Check: Are Asbestos and Zinc Linked to Cancer? Prabowo's Claim Examined

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto claimed that many young people are developing lung cancer despite not being smokers, attributing the cases to exposure from zinc and asbestos roofing materials that contain cancer-causing substances."Young people are already getting lung cancer even though they do not smoke. Where does it come from? From rust, from asbestos, from various chemicals," Prabowo said during the inauguration of the revitalization of Semarang Tawang Station in Semarang, Central Java, on Thursday, July 30, 2026. The speech was broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.Prabowo urged the public to return to traditional roofing materials such as palm fiber, thatch, or clay tiles, saying that zinc roofing was not originally part of Indonesian architecture."Originally, Indonesians did not use zinc. If necessary, we should return to using palm fiber, return to using thatch. Otherwise, we need to find alternatives," he said.Tempo verified Prabowo's statement by consulting health experts and reviewing medical data. The findings show that asbestos exposure is indeed linked to lung cancer.However, there is no scientific evidence that rusted zinc causes cancer. Instead, rusted zinc may only increase the risk of respiratory irritation.Yes, Asbestos Is a Known Lung Cancer Risk FactorA World Health Organization (WHO) report in April 2026 identified lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with an estimated 2.5 million new cases recorded globally. In 2022, around 1.8 million people died from the disease.WHO identifies asbestos exposure as one of the causes of lung cancer, alongside secondhand smoke exposure, air pollution, and genetic factors. In Indonesia, the Health Ministry recorded around 34,000 new lung cancer cases in 2023, with a mortality rate reaching 88 percent.Wiwin Is Effendi, a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine at Airlangga University in Surabaya, confirmed that long-term exposure to asbestos fibers can cause thickening of the membrane surrounding the lungs, known as the mesothelium. The risk is particularly high among workers in the automotive and construction industries.Regarding asbestos used in building materials such as roofs and walls, Wiwin said the material becomes dangerous when it is cracked or damaged."However, if it is still in good condition, it is relatively safe," Wiwin told Tempo via WhatsApp on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.Oncological surgeon Asdi Wihandono from Airlangga University's Faculty of Medicine added that asbestos is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by WHO. Beyond lung cancer, asbestos exposure may also increase the risk of laryngeal cancer, ovarian cancer, and cancers of the digestive tract.Cancer generally develops after prolonged inflammation, fibrosis or scar tissue formation, and DNA damage."The more workers are exposed to asbestos materials, the higher their risk of developing lung cancer," Asdi said via WhatsApp on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.Rusted Zinc Linked to Irritation, Not CancerWiwin said there is currently no scientific reference linking rusted zinc to lung cancer risk. Rust on zinc materials may only cause irritation to the respiratory tract.Asdi also said there is no evidence that rusted zinc causes cancer, either through direct contact or exposure to surrounding air.The known health risk involving zinc occurs among workers who inhale zinc oxide fumes during welding. Such exposure may cause irritation that leads to temporary fever, a condition known as metal fume fever.Causes of Lung Cancer Among Young PeopleWiwin said lung cancer cases among non-smokers have increased, particularly among women. He suggested that the rise may be linked to exposure to secondhand smoke and asbestos fibers.He cited a study by Nico van Zandwijk published in the August 2024 edition of the journal Lung Cancer, which found that combined exposure to asbestos and cigarette smoke could increase lung cancer risk by 10 to 100 times.Meanwhile, Asdi said rising cancer cases among younger people are caused by multiple factors rather than a single cause such as zinc exposure.These factors include unhealthy lifestyles, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diets, and exposure to harmful chemicals in the environment."There is no single factor. It is likely the result of interactions between various factors that have changed over the past several decades," Asdi said.Tempo contacted Government Communication Agency Head Muhammad Qodari via WhatsApp for confirmation regarding Prabowo's statement, but he had not responded as of Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026.Prabowo's claim that asbestos exposure can contribute to lung cancer is scientifically supported, particularly when asbestos-containing materials are damaged and release fibers into the air. However, his statement linking rusted zinc to lung cancer is inaccurate, as rusted zinc has only been associated with respiratory irritation rather than cancer.TEMPO FACT CHECK TEAM**Do you have information or claims that you want to have fact-checked? Contact our ChatBot. You can also send criticism, objections, or feedback for this Fact-Checking article via email to cekfakta@tempo.co.id.