Condoms to waterproof a roof? It's a stretch

NEW DELHI -- Millions of the condoms distributed free in India to combat AIDS and a soaring population are used for other purposes, such as waterproofing roofs, reinforcing roads and even polishing saris, say health workers. In fact, only a quarter of the 1.5 billion condoms manufactured annually in India were being "properly utilized," said a report by doctors at King George's Medical University in Lucknow. Health workers said millions of condoms were also melted down and made into toys or sold as balloons to children after being dyed.

According to two university reports, villagers have used them as disposable water containers to wash, after relieving themselves in the fields. India's military has covered gun and tank barrels with condoms as protection against dust. Of the 891 million condoms meant to be handed out free, a considerable proportion were acquired by contractors through unscrupulous non-governmental agencies and government departments and mixed with concrete and tar to construct roads. This blend reportedly renders road surfaces smooth and resistant to cracks.

A large number of condoms were also used as waterproofing for roofs. Builders spread a bed of condoms beneath the roof's cement plastering, ingeniously preventing water seepage during the monsoon rains. Weavers in Varanasi, 170 miles from Lucknow, also daily used around 200,000 condoms to lubricate their looms and to polish the gold and silver thread used to embroider the saris they produced.

Source: http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-india13.html

August 13, 2004
BY RAHUL BEDI