ASBESTOS
Item
- Title
- ASBESTOS
- extracted text
-
RF_15_SUDHA
IIHMR
JAIPUR
STEPScentre
Climate Change and Uncertainty from Below and Above
About the project: Uncertainty from Below and Above
www.steps-centre.org/project/uncertainty
Project briefing
October 2013
Summary
The STEPS Centre (Social, Technological and
Environmental Pathways to Sustainability) is a
global research and policy engagement centre
uniting development studies with science and
technology studies. Our interdisciplinary research
is carried out with partners across Asia, Africa,
Latin America and Europe.
In India, as part of the Uncertainty from Below and
Above project, the STEPS Centre is working
with leading research institutes - the Institute of
Health Management Research, Kolkata; Sarai of
the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies,
Delhi; and the Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology,
Bhuj, Gujarat - in locations with distinctive
ecological features and uncertainties brought
about by climate change:
• The Sundarbans (wetlands)
• Kachchh (drylands)
• Delhi & Mumbai (urban and peri-urban)
I
I
... d
'j
re t
Brotlfgfs standing on a temporary ei^bankmentjS.urveyingthe approaching
Hataniya-Doyaniya rive’fJnSu^larbansTf’hoto: IIHMR-STEPS Centre
Climate change and uncertainty briefing
Research focus
Global warming has brought about irreversible
changes to the climate and environmental
systems around the globe. For poor and
marginalised citizens of the world who depend on
natural resources fortheir lives and livelihoods,
mere survival now means negotiating extensive
additional burdens and challenges in an uncertain
world.
The Uncertainty project is working to bridge the
gap in the perceptions of those who theorise
about climate change and uncertainty from
'above', those who experience it from 'below', as
well as those in the 'middle' who act as
intermediaries between the two.
The project conceptualises 'above' as the
'experts’ who provide the 'official’ accredited
expertise. ’Below’ is represented by local people
and their largely 'experiential’ knowledge rooted
in everyday practices. We are also interested in
the 'middle’, which acts as the interface between
the ’above’ and the 'below’, and of course, there
are usually overlaps between the three.
"We are working to bridge the gap
between climate change experts 'from
above’and local people who experience
it 'from below’”
Our project, funded by the UK’s Economic and
Social Research Council (ESRC), aims to explore
the varied dimensions of climate-related
uncertaintiesand their accompanying
discourses.
We intend to generate discussion amongst a
range of stakeholders to advocate and
communicate sustainable pathways that deal
with climate-related uncertainties that put the
interests of the poor and marginalised upfront.
A mother and her children in front of their home in the Sundarbans
after the devastation wrought by Cyclone Aila I Photo: IIHMR-STEPS Centre
pI
Climate change and uncertainty briefing
©
• Ci
'decreased ovc
Focus sites
The Sundarbans
The Sundarbans, a unique delta in West Bengal
and Bangladesh, is one of the most visible victims
of the ravages of climate change in India. The
rapidly-changing ecosystem, coupled with
decades of government neglect, has made this
region particularly vulnerable.
Researchers from STEPS Centre partner the
Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR)
are exploring how different people experience
climate-related changes and accompanying
challenges, their adaptation and resilience in
terms of health and livelihood, and the overall
developmental debate in challenging areas like
Sundarbans.
Urban India
This part of the research, by Sarai of the Centre for
the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), will
examine the relationships between different
kinds of uncertainties in particular domains (e.g.
natural disasters, water, energy, waste, and
housing) in two of the biggest metropolises of
India - Delhi and Mumbai. Their distinct
topographical situations present differences in
the way climate change is perceived in the two
cities. Mumbai, being a coastal city, has specific
concerns such as the effects of a rise in sea-levels.
The rainfall pattern of the city, when seen in
conjunction with its island terrain, suggests that
soil erosion, landslide and flooding are likely to
intensify. Other concerns - like heat-island effect,
dwindling water resources, the generation of
waste, rising energy demand and increasing
concretization - are common with the issues in
the landlocked city of Delhi.
Kachchh
Kachchh is a dryland area in western India known
for scarcity and ecological uncertainty. In
Kachchh, the STEPS Centre has partnered with
the Gujarat Institute of Dessert Ecology (GUIDE)
to understand the experiences and perspectives
of climate-livelihoods connections in three of the
district’s diverse ecological areas: grasslands,
agro-pastoral lands and the coast. Each area is
experiencing various climate-related variability
and vulnerabilities, includinga change in rainfall
and drought patterns. Local peoples’ knowledges
about extreme climate events and their impacts
on livelihoods and society will also be explored,
aiming to bring together perspectives and
experiences from above, middle and below levels.
Climate change and uncertainty briefing
O
What will we do?
How to get involved
’Uncertainty’ is experienced by different people in
different ways. The perception of’above’ is
generally based on ’theoretical’ knowledge which
may have very little to do with how everyday men
and women understand, live and cope with
uncertainty in their daily life. This is the missing
dimension we seek to highlight.
We strive to ’unearth uncertainty’ and facilitate
dialogues with the key stakeholders,
practitioners, end users and the wider
community. A series of workshops, panel
discussions, blogs, audio-visual reportage and
focused fora have been planned, and we welcome
new participants. Contact us if you’d like to get
involved, or sign up via the website to receive
STEPS Centre newsletters.
Uncertainty project researchers will generate
knowledge through collecting implicit and
explicit narratives from, and communicating
between, the ’above’, ’middle’ and ’below’. We
intend to create a dialogue across these domains
which aims to unravel a range of pathways of
climate change and uncertainty from ’below’ and
’above’, seeking out whether alternative
pathways more conducive to dealing with
sustainability and social justice can emerge.
We want to make sure our research is relevant
and useful to local stakeholders. We will work to
inform the stakeholders from the ’above’, ’middle’
and ’below’ of our research findings, seeking to
help inform decision-making and to trigger the
active involvement of civil society to protect the
interests of the majority whose interests and
perspectives are largely ignored in dominant
debates about climate change and sustainability.
To trigger the active involvement of key
stakeholders, the STEPS Centre Uncertainty
project will focus on:
• Providing a comprehensive picture of climate
discourses and how climate change is
perceived and interpreted by a range of
stakeholders.
• Promotion of a learning and sharing agenda
to bring together multiple stakeholders - civil
society organisations, academics,
governmentsand fundingagencies-to
engage in research processes, to reflect on
their own work, and to move towards
promoting the needs and interests of the
most vulnerable and poor.
Contact for this project
Shibaji Bose
Phone:+91-96740-87140
Email: shibbose(cfgmail.com
Website: www.steps-centre.org
,
%%
>
■
' 'I
'
w
Dangerous Living at WasteFill Site
'hji^^^^on^pdates.f'les.wofdpress.oom. Sarai. Delhi
About us
The STEPS Centre (Social, Technological and
Environmental Pathways to Sustainability) is an
interdisciplinary global research and policy
engagement hub uniting development studies
with science and technology studies. Based at the
Institute of Development Studies and SPRU
Science and Technology Policy Research, at the
UK’s University of Sussex, we work with partners
around the world and are funded by the
Economic and Social Research Council.
Contact
Tel:+44 (0)1273 915673
Email: steps-centrefcfids.ac.uk
Web: www.steps-centre.org
Twitter: (cfstepscentre
. "@0 o
%%
©(9
SEHH
_ ___
OCCUPATIONAL & ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH NETWORK OF INDIA
Grab the opportunity:
Government of India need to restrict Chrysotile
Asbestos trade.
Vote for inclusion in PIC of Rotterdam Convention
Grab the opportunity:
The Indian Government has a rare opportunity to reverse its position on
Chrysotile asbestos. Its continued support to the Asbestos industry has led
to hundreds of workers, their families and community in general being
exposed to asbestos and afflicted by asbestos related diseases including
lung and mesothelioma cancers. Once diagnosed with asbestos related
diseases, the cost of treatment in India is huge which needs to be paid by
the victim and families which further marginalises them and pushing them
under the line of poverty. At COPS Government of India led by Narendra
Modi has one more opportunity to chart a new path which is consistent
with the principles of a welfare state.
Our neighbours are more progressive:
The hazards of Asbestos are well known. 55 countries have banned its
use, trade, import, mining, manufacturing and other economic activities
related asbestos. Land locked tiny country Nepal
has already banned it while Sri Lanka has declared
to ban import of asbestos roof sheets from 2018.
They have planned to cease use of all asbestos
products by 2024. Both are an inspiration for India.
India -one of largest importers:
India does not mine asbestos. It depends on import
from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Brazil etc. Canada was
biggest exporter of asbestos to India but Canada,
too banned that export. India is one of world’s
largest importers of asbestos. In 2011-12 it imported over 378,122 tons,
396,493 tons in 2014-15 and by 2017 it is expected to rise by 605,000
tons with 9% growth.
Asbestos related diseases on rise:
Secretariat -43, Srinathdham Duplex, Dinesh Mill-Urmi Road, Vadodara390007 India
Email - oehni.delOgmail.com, Tel 91-265-2345576
"2 TS,0'
’OCCUPATIONAL & ENVIRONMENTAL
SEHO '
HEALTH NETWORK OF INDIA
At the same time asbestos related diseases, too are on rise. In
Ahmadabad during 2009-2012, 21 cases of mesothelioma were reported
at Gujarat Cancer Research Institute, Ahmadabad while in 2013, only
during one year they diagnosed 23 cases of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma
is one of the rare cancers.
Occ. Health and Safety Association (OHSA) an NGO based in Gujarat found
4 cases of mesothelioma of which two were employed by asbestos
factory, one was employed in foundry in Ahmedabad and one more had
secondary exposure whose father had worked in the same asbestos
factory, Gujarat Composites. Moreover, two more cases of other cancers
have been found in employees of this factory which have identified to be
as a result of asbestos exposure. Since 2010, Turner & NewaJI/[rust has
paid compensation to 1045 workers who worked in their subsidiaries in
India.
The position of the Indian Government
For the last ten years' chrysotile asbestos has been recommended for
listing in the Rotterdam Convention which adds restrictions to its trade. It
has been blocked by a few countries who gain directly from the export of
asbestos. Though there is credible and adequate scientific and medical
evidence about the deadly nature of asbestos, the Government of India is
refusing to learn any lessons. At the Rotterdam Convention meetings,
India has not favoured to include chrysotile asbestos in Prior Informed
consenT(PICl7ist7. We urge Government of India to take affirm stepTo
protect the workers and citizens from asbestos at the Conference of
Parties - COPS currently going on in Geneva.
Victim's voice:
Rajendra Pevekar, asbestos victim from Mumbai is representing asbestos
victims in India in this meeting to present their woes and appeal one and
all to include chrysotile asbestos in PIC list to restrict trade of one of the
most deadly material. He never worked in any asbestos factory but his
father worked. His father brought home some asbestos fibres on his work
clothes unknowingly and exposed the family members. In his child hood
Rajendra was exposed and is suffering from asbestosis. His mother too is
suffering from asbestosis. Numbers of his father's colleagues and their
families have been victims of primary or secondary exposure to asbestos.
Secretariat -43, Srinathdham Duplex, Dinesh Mill-Urmi Road, Vadodara390007 India
Email - oehni.deltaqmail.com, Tel 91-265-2345576
w: o o'
OCCUPATIONAL & ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH NETWORK OF INDIA
Restrictions would not have any adverse impact:
We strongly believe that restrictions on asbestos trade would not have any
adverse impact on the trade. If included in PIC, importers will have better
choice. They may then have opportunity to use safer alternate raw
materials for their products. World will move towards healthier, safer and
just world.
National Asbestos Profile:
. OEHNI has launched this report recently. The report is supported by
AqeHNI, PTRC, AMRC, ABAN, IBAS and Suisse Solidar.
"It is also high time that the government take initiative in
formulating a national plan for prevention and control of silicosis
and asbestosis in India so that the objective of the WHO to
eliminate silicosis by 2030 is achieved."
"There is an increasing pressure from all the concerned
stakeholders for urgent action for protecting the workers and the
general population against primary and secondary exposure to
Chrysotile form of Asbestos fibres. Greater concerns on the
central government are whether or not to ban the mining and use
of chrysotile asbestos in India. Besides this a similar concern is
felt through International community bringing pressure on the
government for immediate action on the control measures and its
elimination."
However, no data is available to establish the prevalence of
Asbestos disease in small and medium scale enterprises using
Chrysotile asbestos. Lack of such data has been an issue of
greater concerns of the stakeholders and the Government for
making a policy decision for inclusion of chrysotile asbestos
under the Annex-3 of the Rotterdam convention to which India is
a signatory to ban the same.
- Report of the Working Group on Occupational Safety and Health for the
Twelfth Five Year Plan
-
Secretariat -43, Srinathdham Duplex, Dinesh Mill-Urmi Road, Vadodara390007 India
Email - oehni.del(g)qmail.com, Tel 91-265-2345576
(^^s^LcrS. jUkJaaaAk^ r-
JnJ^
.a-^ a
^aJp^A- ,
/ pj \ chA
Xj<
$V/3^vaA<9 \
H,
1?:
0—>c>JXj-j-e_pj>v
_
V
-U>^
Kiel £XHC
- Ya
_9^V t'-Wm^cjs^eJ
^rojy
■
__:h
(LlJ^e^ ,4^U
•
r_xAl^(X
^a1v<- TscrJ^GvV^
] jLov^
ro- (O‘3o;
, til 3‘M;0^'
V/^z
? -0
>.
m c^O
hf
\
R2^
1y
tx> l^MV'
r -2>^ y
KjV^’c L
c
•
Poaa
/O- Tt^-' V"'
^xi
Wv
Ks^x^^cXlJ
Asbestos:
diseases1
elimination
of
asbestos-related
Fact sheet N°343, July 2014
Key facts
About 125 million people in the world are exposed to asbestos at the
workplace.
According to WHO estimates, more than 107 000 deaths each year are
attributable to occupational exposure to asbestos?”
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals with current or
historical commercial usefulness due to their extraordinary tensile strength,
poor heat conduction, and relative resistance to chemical attack. For these
reasons, asbestos is used for insulation in buildings and as an ingredient in a
number of products, such as roofing shingles, water supply lines and fire
blankets, as well as clutches and brake linings, gaskets and pads for
automobiles.
The main forms of asbestos are chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite
(blue asbestos). Other forms are amosite, anthophylite, tremolite-’and
actinolite.
Why is asbestos a problem?
All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans. Exposure to asbestos,
including chrysotile, causes cancer of the lung, larynx and ovaries, and also
mesothelioma (a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings). Asbestos
exposure is also responsible for other diseases such as asbestosis (fibrosis of
the lungs), and plaques, thickening and effusion in the pleura.
Currently, about 125 million people in the world are exposed to asbestos at
the workplace. According to the most recent WHO estimates, more than 107
000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma
and asbestosis resulting from exposure at work. Approximately half of .the
deaths from occupational cancer are estimated to be caused by asbestos. In
addition, it is estimated that several thousand deaths annually can be
attributed to exposure to asbestos in the home.
It has also been shown that co-exposure to tobacco smoke and asbestos fibres
substantially increases the risk for lung~cancer - and the heavier the smoking'
the greater the risk.
WHO response
The World Health Assembly Resolution 58.22 on cancer prevention urges
Member States to pay special attention to cancers for which avoidable
exposure is a factor, including exposure to chemicals at the workplace and in
the environment.
With Resolution_60.26, the World Health Assemblyjequested WHO to carry out
a global campaign for the eTiminatidn of asbestos-related diseases "...bearing
in mind a differentiated approach to regulating its various forms - in line with
the relevant international legal instruments and the latest evidence for
1 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs343/en/
i
effective interventions...". ...". Cost-effective interventions for prevention of
occupational lung diseases from exposure to asbestos are among the policy
Optfoh^fonm^remenWg^the globaraction plan for the prevention and control
of noncommunicable diseases (2013-2020), as endorsed by the Sixty-sixth
WdfTd Health Assembly in resolution WHA66.10 in 2013.
Eliminating asbestos-related diseases is particularly targeted at countries still
using chrysotile asbestos, in addition to assistance in relation to exposures
arising from historical use of all forms of asbestos.
WHO, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization and other
intergovernmental organizations and civil society, works with countries
towards elimination of asbestos-related diseases in the following ways:
by recognizing that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related
diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos;
by providing information about solutions for replacing asbestos with
safer substitutes and developing economic and technological mechanisms to
stimulate its 7e p I a c e m e n t;
by taking measures to prevent exposure to asbestos in.place and during
asbestos removal (abatement);
by improving early diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation services for
asbestos-related diseases;
by establishing registriesjJf people with past and/or current exposures
to asbestoslnd organizing medical surveillance of exposed workers;
by providing information on the hazards associated with asbestos
containing materials and products, and by raising awareness/that waste
containing asbestos should be treated as hazardous waste.
2
Asbestos in India - Status
Report
Background
Commodity ftS“L!l®c^o■;oba^hAs^to^™,'dl,’9 f°
the
United
Natl°"s
construction activities with little or no orotecdon A9 asbestos Products during
unmindful of the lethal effects of echo
p otectlon- An estimated 55,000 workers
hours and are exposed to itsll^XlteAk'
ShipS' S,aVe for lon9
yard. There is no data available about numb9
Alang Ship breakin9
enterprises using asbestos.
°
number of small and medium scale
XXatelyVour
6Sred
fA
*estos Fibre
steady
Increase ip the
the anlount
amount °ot
Asbestos
Fibre consumption and
--J fifteen thousand tonnes of Asbestos fibres ™s
ZeX^o
2012
consumed.
Year
2007
—20082009~
2010
20n~
2012
' one hundred and thirty five thousand
_________ Consumption
2,83,000 tons
1$,00,000 tons
13,60,000 tons
~
4,00,000 tons
4,15,000 tons (approx.)
^oT?000 tOnS ^approx^ t'11 April,
Table 1 - Year on YeaTconsumption of Asbestos Fibres in India2
CommercT& Industry ^hetariff1 which^t '3°^' according to the Ministry of
gradually cut over the past decade.
78
1995' h“
Facts
Imports and Exports
- As per the prevailing Foreign Trade Policy, asbestos
under heading 2524 can be imported freely with the exception of amosite which
is restricted. However, the
-.2 imports of crocidolite, actinolite, anthophyllite,
1 http://comtrade.un c ' "
°f2^banswered
/5e/CeS5lapshot'aspx?Px=HS&cc=2524
2. In Response to questions
--------- d on 11-5-2012 in Rajya Sabha
1
I
est<
s in
■
amosite and tremolite are restricted in terms of Prior Informed Consent (PIC)
Procedure of Rotterdam Convention for Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides.
•
.
Indi
3
Exports of asbestos were 1296 tonnes in 2011-12. In addition exports of
asbestos-cement products were 41304 tonnes in 2011-12.
Imports of asbestos were 378,122 tonnes in 2011-12. The imports comprised
chrysotile asbestos 377,302 tonnes and asbestos (others) 820 tonnes. Imports of
asbestos were mainly from Russia (51%), Kazakhstan (18%), Brazil (13%) and
Canada (7%)
Ministry of Environment and Forest, prohibits the imports of waste asbestos (dust
and fibre), being a hazardous waste detrimental to human health and
environment.
2. Production Facilities - According to Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) Minerals
Yearbook 2011, presently, there are about 75 plants engaged in the production
of asbestos products in the country and these are mainly located in Gujarat,
Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Besides, about 114 asbestos
cement sheet and pipe units are reported from Rajasthan.
T-'1
•r
3. Mining of asbestos in India - Mining of asbestos is banned in India through a
series of orders. In June 1986 a ban on expansion of area of existing asbestos
mines was placed in the country. In March 1989 the ban was further extended to
mining of those minerals as well where asbestos as contamination was found in
substantial quantities. Since June 1993 all mining of asbestos has been banned.3
4 According to the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) Minerals yearbook 2012 on
asbestos, the production of asbestos in 2011-12 was 280 tonnes of Chrysotile
variety of asbestos which increased by about 4% as compared to the previous
year. The three mines in Andhra Pradesh had an average daily employment of 39
in 2011-12 as against 57 in the preceding year.
I
■
► "■I
*
(Qty in tonnes; value in INR '000)
2008-09
State
Quantit
y
Value
2009-10
Quantit
y
Value
2010-11
Quantit
y
Value
3 Copy of letter is available with the author
4 Indian Bureau of Mines year book 2011, Mineral Review; Asbestos
http://ibm.gov.in/IMYB_2012_Asbestos.pdf
2011-12 (P)
Quantit
y
Value
f-
i
a
SO
■
Ola
Sill
Andhr
a
Prades
h
■
■
315
1452
1
1226
8
243
280
268
-------- --------- 1—______ _____ ___
1334
1
12827
J
Table 1- Pr„duction of asbestos 2008
illl!
mines continue JZTXle Olosl 20
expired on 3° OcX 200
iT I"
thSSe three
the faCt that their ^s
respectively5. The production in these9US 2|°5 and 24'h SePtember 2005
year after prolonged enquiries and lltigatfon"65
6 b'®" suspended si"“ last
4.
hall5 Xll Urldln
3 P ? b3" USe a"d mi"in’ 200
°f aad
^a
helsaZ'th"®6
°-
questto^vSd" rbg-SI
21 cases of Asbestosis were reported in 2mn r
eE,Overni™"t a«epts that
reported from Maharashtra in 2012 The
fr°m Gd|arat and 2 cases were
fl
e^re ,imitfOrthefibrehaX„ luc:d9°oV0err™cnt 'Urther
th®
wHS
I
The White AsbestoslBan on use and
'jlM-lOllbill was re-infroduced
in Rajya Sabha in 2014. The bill
seeks to "provide for a total ban on
use and import of white asbestos in
the country and to promote the use
of safer and cheaper alternativelo
white ^astrestos- - and for “matters
connected therewith and incidental
thereto"6
|
I
5. Ministry
of
Environment dno
and
Forests (MoEF) - MoEF is the nodal
nodal
a u
sbestos Flbre keP! 'n an open sack in a pipe
including^bestos product9C'earances to various Factories
I
issued the Enetai -mpact
mandatory 'for Asbestos fib
to operate. However, f'
Environmental Clearance
« lCHtS on lease available with the author
® http //164.100.24.219/BillsTexts/RSBillTexts/asintroduced/white-E.pdf
i
i
i
■
__« J
GSlt<
i
.c
*
s in
Indi
■
Illll
6. Indian Government is of the position that Asbestos especially Chrysotile
Asbestos is safe to use and considering the economic environment, the use of
asbestos should continue without hindrance. According to officials, sufficient
safeguards are available in law to protect workers from harm and in case of harm
remedies are available. There are no official figures of people suffering from
diseases due to Asbestos and there are no mechanisms in place to track workers
from production facilities
Situation on Ground
IK
i
ii
1. In India, asbestos products carry no health warnings, and trade unions have no
mandate to prevent asbestos-related diseases at workplaces.
111
■l
III
2. Most of the workers are in unorganized sector or contract workers. These
workers are mostly migratory and are difficult to identify and track. Workers
more often than not do not have identity cards making it difficult to file
compensation claims.
3. More than 800 workers and family members have been found suffering from
Asbestos related disorders in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Coimbatore and
West Bengal. These workers were employed by different subsidiaries of Turner
and Newall and used to work producing brake lings, textile and other products
from mainly Chrysotile Asbestos. In 2001 the liabilities for personal injuries
through Asbestos exposure in Turner and Newall was transferred to a special UK
trust fund. Since Jan 2010, more than 800 cases have been filed in the trust out
of which 650 have been compensated. Victims include family members of the
t
workers
4. In Gujarat, workers from Thermal Power Plant and Asbestos Cement product
factory have been diagnosed as suffering from ARDs. Some of these workers
have won compensation after lengthy court battles.
5. Tata Cancer Hospital has reported only 107 cases of Mesothelioma in 20 years.
Ahmedabad Civil Hospital has detected 41 cases. 16 cases have been reported
by NIOH from Alang ship breaking yard.
II
6. 18 cases of asbestosis have been confirmed among ex-miners in Rajasthan by
NIOH
i. r g i
^4]
f/
-
1
7. In 1996 the__
T
/Supreme 11
“
'Court of lndia__in_‘public I
lnterest_
Litigation
Litigatiqn |
directed 7 -
•
’
I
All the Industries are
directed to maintain
and keep maintaining
the health record of
every worker up to a
minimum period of 40
years
from
the
beginning
of
the K
15 t
employment or
years after retirement
or cessation of the
employment whichever is later;
GUJRAT
COMPOSITE
CEMENT
COMPONEV
WORKER
:
faCt°2eS whether covered by the Employees State Insurance Act or
Workmen s Compensation Act or otherwise are directed to compulsorilv
insure health coverage to every worker;
compulsorily
ariCl the
Governments are directed to review the standards of
permiissib]e_exposure limit value of fibre/cc in tune with the international
standards reducing the permissible content as prayed in the writ petition
referred to at the beginning. The review shall'be continued after every 10
BhBnd 3 S° --S and.wlien the LL.D, gives directions in this behalf consistent
with its recommendations or any Conventions;
IuchUnnfOfhnand a" B
Govemments are directed to consider inclusion of
hazard^
fact^ory or factories or industries to protect health
Jrodice;
' e0"9
10 the manufacture of asbestos or its ancillary
8' thBSBi
Human
Commission has ordered that asbestos roofing in
BhBh budding are avoided in future and the existing school building roofed
replaced wVthcountr^ dies?
by rem°''in3 the aSbeSt0S sheets a"d
prevalence of Asbestos related disorders and creating a database on mortality
and morbidity. According to the Ministry document, in Large scale units
prevalence of ARDs has been observed on a lower side of 46/1000
7 Supreme Court order dated 27-01-1995
8 Order of Kerala State Human Rights Commission dated 31-1-2009
I
HR
il
Irtil
I
■
I
}
exposed workmen. Do they think 46 is a low number out of 1000? No data is
available for small and medium scale industries.
est<
s in
.
..
Indi
■
-
There is no mention about safe disposal of asbestos waste or safe removal of
asbestos during dismantling or renovation. No feedback or inputs were taken
from the civil society and activists involved in the fight against asbestos in
formulation of this scheme. There are no areas in the scheme where
collaboration with NGOs is likely or is mandated.
10. A recent Ministry of Labour document stated the intention of the government of
India "to enact a Ban on the use of Asbestos"? - whether it is another
propaganda material for International audience has to be determined
11. The anger of the villagers and residents in Odisha on the government inaction
resulted in a road blockade of an asbestos cement plant bringing the production
to a grinding halt. The plant was running with connivance of the authorities
despite the clearance being cancelled earlier.
Illi
Illi
12.In Bihar, the villagers inspired by the school text books are fighting against
setting up of Asbestos cement plants in various areas. The chief minister has
assured to look into the grievances of the villagers.
I
13.National trade unions are recognizing the hazards of Asbestos and many affiliate
unions of BWI and Industri Al I are demanding a ban on Asbestos.
"Scientific" Report by NIOH
In 2004, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, Government of India,
commissioned the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH), a premier
research institute under
the Indian Council of
Research
Medical
conduct
a
(ICMR), to
WORKED FPS
study titled Study of
(Tliarmal PowerPlant Station)
Health
Hazards
/
Gujrat, India
Environment
Hazards
f
resulting from use of
laA
Chrysotile Variety of
K ■
Asbestos in the country.
.
,
MM
,
M
m
.
■'
'
■
Total Cost of study was |
..... —■
■
IH
■
w
w'1'
■
I
II
i \
initially INR 59.66 lakhs
(USD 115,000) with INR
16 lakhs (USD 31,000)
being contributed
the industry.
Z.
■
■
■HHi
K.-,. -
The study was commissioned in the light of the proposed inclusion of Chrysotile in
the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) list of the Rotterdam Convention, which was
recommended for listing twice by the Chemical Review Committee of the
[6]
Convention in 2005 and 2006. The Government of India's decision to base its
posit'on on science is indeed a laudable one. However, there have been serious
methodological flaws in the way the study was designed, conducted, 'reviewed' and
interpreted as has been pointed out since 2008 by public health scientists, Indian
national trade unions and health activists.
NIOH has submitted the final version of the report to the Government. The draft
report was not placed in public domain for comments even though comments from
he industry associations were invited, received and incorporated. Although India
changed its stance in 2010 and agreed to include asbestos in the PIC list in COP 6
held in 2013, the GOI came back with the 'final' NIOH study to 'claim' that'there was
no health problem associated with Chrysotile asbestos use in India and therefore
India was not going to support the listing anymore.
f°r selection of workers for the study expose a deliberate attempt by
NIOH to not' find cases of asbestos related illnesses. For instance, no retired
workers were selected for the study or some workers who had worked only for 5
years were chosen for the study. In one factory, the mean age of workers was 27.4
±6.5 (range 18-45 years). 71% were up to 30 years of age. Mean job duration was
■ ± 3.2 years. Minimum experience was 1 year and majority had experience of
work up to 5 years. It is well known that asbestos related disorders have an
extremely long latency period which can sometimes be more than 30 years.
On reading the 'final' NIOH study (2013), Dr Terracini commented:
"This report describes several cross sectional studies on active workers in asbestos
working plants (and one on the genera! population living around an asbestos plant).
This study design does not allow for any estimate of the occurrence of chronic
(frequently lethal) conditions known to be caused by asbestos exposure, which
require a latent period of many years. The incidence/mortality of such conditions
cannot be estimated among active workers. It would require data on all workers
who have been active in each plant, over the last (say, at least) 30 years after onset
of exposure. Thus, this report cannot be used for claiming "harmlessness" of
asbestos used in India."
In addition, m the revision of the literature, the report omits to mention findings
regarding the carcinogenicity of Chrysotile, which have led the International Agency
of Cancer of the World Health Organization to describe Chrysotile as a carcinogen
for the human species."
Conclusion
7]
Illi
The apparent demand of asbestos is estimated to be 393 thousand tonnes by 201112 and 605 thousand tonnes by 2016-17 with 9% growth rate as per the Report of
the Working Group for 12th Plan. The lessons learned by richer nations like the U.K.
and Germany, which banned asbestos in factories decades ago, are slow to take
111
■
■I
• 11
:
I
■I
iii
sfl
Bl
hold in India, where demand for a sturdy material to make roofs for millions of slum
dwellers serving the world's second fastest-growing major economy has
overpowered concerns about worker safety
India faces a “looming time bomb" of serious health problems in workers because
companies aren't penalized for compromising on employee safety and most doctors
don't know how to diagnose occupational diseases. The government needs to
urgently get its act together and immediately ban use of all forms of asbestos to
prevent a silent Bhopal Disaster which is waiting to happen. There is currently a
great policy paralysis and indecision on the part of the government with respect to
Asbestos. On one hand the government states to an international audience that it is
committed to ban asbestos but the actions and policies go in the opposite direction.
More and more plants are given clearances and expansions without considering the
effects on the workers and the general public. Absence of data is considered as a
proof for the safety of the product but the officials fail to acknowledge the real
reasons for lack of data - misdiagnosis, non-adherence to norms and no penal
action for offences. Further, removal of asbestos remains a big challenge and an
unacknowledged problem. Asbestos roofs and pipes are being removed from various
places and agencies in an unscientific way creating problems even for the general
public in the vicinity. Once asbestos is placed in buildings and infrastructure in
communities, it stays there for decades, causing harm to health of countless men
women and children, particularly as it deteriorates, is broken, is cut, gets re-used for
other purposes, gets dumped. It is truly a deadly ticking time bomb that continues
for years and years to create more victims. The cost of removing damaged and
broken asbestos products, or remediation of damaged asbestos products, is colossal
and represents a huge economic burden that we are wantonly placing on future
generations. There is an immediate need to identify all victims of Asbestos related
disorders and provide medical treatment, rehabilitation and compensation and
ensure that the culprits and capitalists who have earned huge profits while
endangering lives of innocent workers are brought to justice. These future victims
will create a huge health burden on the already sparse resources of the country and
thus an immediate ban on the use of this material is of utmost importance.
I
s
llilil
1
I
-I
II
[8]
Nlllll
Illi
SB
||||
■
*
•'T ]
113
4-4
’r
g'
|
50 300
T|
BD-W)mu
II
■
Asbestos Fibre bags collected by Raghunath Manwar from GCCL
k33 s'l /
- wlfib
Sli
a J
' -1 •• IO| U
•’
ais - '
* -1
;|||
a.: -
a«%>
"
”
Asbestos pipes used as flower pots and boundary wall
s-r.-e
x-*!
F
*■
al X J
j
Asbestos fibre bags were seen inside the factory. Boundary wall made of Asbestos pipes.
The ILO position on safety in the use of
asbestos1
06 September 2010
1. The ILO position on asbestos is governed by the international instruments (relevant
Conventions and Recommendations, and International Labour Conference resolutions)
adopted by the Organization, as well as ILO codes of practice. These international
instruments provide solid legal bases as well as practical guidance for comprehensive
preventive measures at the national and enterprise levels in order to protect workers
and prevent asbestos-related diseases.
2. The ILO Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162), provides for the measures to be taken for
the prevention and control of, and protection of workers against, health hazards due to
occupational exposure to asbestos. Key provisions of Convention No. 162 concern:
•
•
•
replacement of asbestos or of certain types of asbestos or products containing
asbestos with other materials or products evaluated as less harmful,
total or partial prohibition of the use of asbestos or of certain types of asbestos
or products containing asbestos in certain work processes,
measures to prevent or control the release of asbestos dust into the air and to
ensure that the exposure limits or other exposure criteria are complied with and
also to reduce exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.
3. The Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139), provides for the measures to be
taken for the control and prevention of occupational hazards caused by carcinogenic
substances and agents. Key provisions of Convention No. 139 concern:
•
•
•
periodically determining the carcinogenic substances and agents to which
occupational exposure shall be prohibited or made subject to authorization or
control;
making every effort to have carcinogenic substances and agents to which
workers may be exposed in the course of their work replaced by noncarcinogenic substances or agents or by less harmful substances or agents;
reducing the number of workers exposed to carcinogenic substances or agents
and the duration and degree of such exposure to the minimum.
4. A Resolution concerning asbestos was adopted by the International Labour Conference
at its 95th Session in 2006. Noting that all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, are
classified as human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer
(IARC), and expressing its concern that workers continue to face serious risks from
asbestos exposure, particularly in asbestos removal, demolition, building maintenance,
ship breaking and waste handling activities, it calls for:
•
the elimination of the future use of asbestos and the identification and proper
management of asbestos currently in place as the most effective means to
protect workers from asbestos exposure and to prevent future asbestos-related
diseases and deaths.
The Resolution also underlined that the ILO Convention on Safety in the Use of Asbestos,
No. 162, should not be used to provide a justification for, or endorsement of, the continued
use of asbestos.
In light of the instructions of the Governing Body following the Resolution, the Office has
been:
continuing to encourage member States to ratify and give effect to Conventions
Nos. 162 and 139;
1 http://www.ilo.org/safework/areasofwork/occupational-health/WCMS_360580/lang-en/index.htm
•
•
•
promoting the elimination of the future use of all forms of asbestos and asbestos
containing materials;
promoting the identification and proper management of all forms of asbestos
currently in place; and
encouraging and helping ILO member States to include measures in their
national programmes on occupational safety and health to protect workers from
exposure to asbestos.
Resolution concerning asbestos, 20062
ILO Resolution | 01 June 2006 (adopted by the 95th Session of the International Labour
Conference, June 2006)
The General Conference of the International Labour Organization,
•
Considering that all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, are classified as known
human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a
classification restated by the International Programme on Chemical Safety (a joint
Programme of the International Labour Organization, the World Health Organization
and the United Nations Environment Programme),
•
Alarmed that an estimated 100,000 workers die every year from diseases caused by
exposure to asbestos,
•
Deeply concerned that workers continue to face serious risks from asbestos
exposure, particularly in asbestos removal, demolition, building maintenance, ship
breaking and waste handling activities,
•
Noting that it has taken three decades of efforts and the emergence of suitable
alternatives for a comprehensive ban on the manufacturing and use of asbestos and
asbestos-containing products to be adopted in a number of countries,
•
Further noting that the objective of the Promotional Framework for Occupational
Safety and Health Convention 2006 is to prevent occupational injuries, diseases and
deaths,
1. Resolvesthat:
a) the elimination of the future use of asbestos and the identification and proper
management of asbestos currently in place are the most effective means to protect
workers from asbestos exposure and to prevent future asbestos-related diseases
and deaths; and
b) the Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162), should not be used to provide a
justification for, or endorsement of, the continued use of asbestos.
2. Requests the Governing Body to direct the International Labour Office to:
a) continue to encourage member States to ratify and give effect to the provisions of
the Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162), and the Occupational Cancer Convention,
1974 (No. 139);
b) promote the elimination of future use of all forms of asbestos and asbestos
containing materials in all member States;
c) promote the identification and proper management of all forms of asbestos currently
in place;
d) encourage and assist member States to include measures in their national
programmes on occupational safety and health to protect workers from exposure to
asbestos; and
e) transmit this resolution to all member States.
2 http://www.ilo.org/safework/info/standards-and-instruments/WCMS_108556/lang-en/index.htm
Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk
What is asbestos?
Asbestos .s the name given to six minerals that occur naturally in the environment as bundles of
f.bers that can be separated into thin, durable threads for use in commercial and industrial
applications. 1 hese fibers are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals and do not conduct electricity
or these reasons, asbestos has been used widely in many industries. Additional asbestos-like
minerals are found in the natural environment, including erionite.
Chemically, asbestos minerals are silicate
compounds, meaning they contain atoms of silicon and
oxygen in their molecular structure.
Asbestos minerals are divided into two major groups: Serpentine asbestos and amphibole
asbestos. Serpentine asbestos includes the mineral chrysotile, which has long, curly fibers that can
be woven. Chrysotile asbestos is the form that has been used most widely in commercial
applications. Amphibole asbestos includes the minerals actinolite, tremolite, anthophyllite,
crocidolite, and amosite. Amphibole asbestos has straight, needle-like fibers that are more brittle
than those of serpentine asbestos and are more limited in their ability to be fabricated (1,2).
How is asbestos used?
Asbestos has been mined and used commercially in North America since the late 1800s Its use
increased greatly during World War II (3, 4). Since then, asbestos has been used in many
industries. For example, the building and construction industries have used it for strengthening
'ement and plastics as well as for insulation, roofing, fireproofing, and sound absorption. The
shipbuilding industry has used asbestos to insulate boilers, steam pipes, and hot water pipes. The
automotive industry uses asbestos in vehicle brake shoes and clutch pads. Asbestos has also
been used in ceiling and floor tiles; paints, coatings, and adhesives; and plastics. In addition,
asbestos has been found in vermiculite-containing garden products and some talc-containing
crayons.
In the late 1970s, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned.the use of
asbestos in wallboard patching compounds and gas fireplaces because the asbestos fibers in
tnese products could be released into the environment during use. In addition, manufacturers of
electric hairdryers voluntarily stopped using asbestos in their products in 1979. In 1989, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned all new uses of asbestos; however uses
developed before 1989 are still allowed. The EPA also established regulations that require school
systems to inspect buildings for the presence of damaged asbestos and to eliminate or reduce
asbestos exposure to occupants by removing the asbestos or encasing it (2).
In June 2000, the CPSC concluded that the risk of children’s exposure to asbestos fibers in
crayons was extremely low. U.S. manufacturers of these crayons agreed to eliminate talc from
their products.
In August 2000, the EPA conducted a series of tests to evaluate the risk for consumers of adverse
health effects associated with exposure to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. The EPA concluded
that exposure to asbestos from some vermiculite products poses only a minimal health risk. The
EPA recommended that consumers reduce the low risk associated with the occasional use of
vermiculite during gardening activities by limiting the amount of dust produced during vermiculite
use. Specifically, the EPA suggested that consumers use vermiculite outdoors or in a wellventilated area; keep vermiculite damp while using it; avoid bringing dust from vermiculite into the
home on clothing; and use premixed potting soil, which is less likely to generate dust (2).
The regulations described above and other actions, coupled with widespread public concern about
the health hazards of asbestos, have resulted in a significant annual decline in the U.S. use of
asbestos. Domestic consumption of asbestos amounted to about 803,000 metric tons in 1973, but
it had dropped to about 360 metric tons by 2015 (3, 5).
What are the health hazards of exposure to asbestos?
People may be exposed to asbestos in their workplace, their communities, or their homes. If
products containing asbestos are disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. When
asbestos fibers are breathed in, they may get trapped in the lungs and remain there for a long time.
Over time, these fibers can accumulate and cause scarring and inflammatiOT which can affect
breathing and lead to serious health problems (6).
Asbestos has been classified as a known human carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer) by
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (2, 3, 7, 8). According
to IARC, there is sufficient evidence that asbestos causes mesothelioma (a relatively rare cancer
of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen), and cancers of the lung, larynx, and
ovary (8). Although rare, mesothelioma is the most common form of cancer associated with
asbestos exposure. There is limited evidence that asbestos exposure is linked to increased risks of
cancers of the stomach, pharynx, and coIorectum (8).
Asbestos exposure may also increase the risk of asbestosis (an inflammatory condition affecting
the lungs that can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and permanent lung damage) and other
nonmalignant lung and pleural disorders, including pleural plaques (changes in the membranes
surrounding the lung), pleural thickening, and benign pleural effusions (abnormal collections of fluid
between the thin layers of tissue lining the lungs and the wall of the chest cavity). Although pleural
plaques are not precursors to lung cancer, evidence suggests that people with pleural disease
caused by exposure to asbestos may be at increased risk for lung cancer (2, 9).
Erionite has also been classified as a
known human carcinogen by IARC (8) and by HHS (3). It
is not currently regulated by the EPA.
Who is at risk for an asbestos-related disease?
Everyone Is exposed lo asbestos at some time during their life. Low levels of asbestos are present
in the am water, and soil. However, most people do not beeome ill from their exposure. People who
a iobThe
h"
are USUa"y ,h°Se Wh° Sre eXP°Sed '° " °n 3
fob where they work directly with the material or through substantial environmental contact.
in
Since the early 1940s. millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos Health
hazards from asbestos fibers have been recognized in workers exposed in the shipbuilding trades
asbestos mining and milling, manufacturing of asbestos textiles and other asbestos products
’
msu at,on work m the construction and building trades, and a variety of other trades. Demolition
workers, drywall removers, asbestos removal workers, firefighters, and automobile workers also
may be exposed to asbestos fibers. Studies evaluating the cancer risk experienced by automobile
mechanics exposed to asbestos through brake repair are limited, but the overall evidence suggests
is no safe level of asbestos exposure (3, 8). As a result of government regulations and
improved work practices, today's workers (those without previous exposure) are likely to face
smaller risks than did those exposed in the past.
Individuals involved m the rescue, recovery, and cleanup at the site of the September 11 2001
a tacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City are another group at risk of developing
lhe WTC h™ T
aSe' BeCaUSe aSbeSt0S “'as USed in lhs
of the North Tower of
the WTC, when the building was attacked, hundreds of tons of asbestos were released Into the
atmosphere^ Those at greatest risk include firefighters, police officers, paramedics, construction
workers, and volunteers who worked In the rubble at Ground Zero. Others at risk Include residents
n close proximity to the WTC lowers and those who attended schools nearby. These individuals
will need to be followed to determine the long-term health consequences of their exposure (10)
However, it is important to note that any symptoms these individuals experience may be related to
exposure to debris components other than asbestos.
Although ,t IS clear that the health risks from asbestos exposure increase with heavier exposure
and longer exposure time, investigators have found asbestos-related diseases in individuals with
on y brief exposures. Generally, those who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of
i ness or a long time after exposure. It can take from 10 to 40 years or more for symptoms of an
asbestos-related condition to appear (2).
There ,s some evidence that family members of workers heavily exposed to asbestos face an
increased risk of developing mesothelioma (11). Tins risk is thought to result from exposure to
asbestos fibers brought into the home on the shoes, clothing, skin, and Hair of workers To
decrease these exposures. Federal law regulates workplace practices to limit the possibility of
asbestos bemg brought home in this way. Some employees may be required to shower and
change their clothes before they leave work, store their street clothes in a separate area of the
workplace, or wash their work clothes at home separately from other clothes (2).
Cases of mesothelioma have also been seen in individuals without occupational asbestos
exposure who live close to asbestos mines (11).
What factors affect the risk of developing an asbestos-related
disease?
Several factors can help to determine how asbestos exposure affects an individual, including:
Dose (how much asbestos an individual was exposed to)
Duration (how long an individual was exposed)
Size, shape, and chemical makeup of the asbestos fibers
Source of the exposure
Individual risk factors, such as smokjng ancj pre-existing lung disease
Genetic factors, such as having a germline mutation in BAP1(V2)
Although all forms of asbestos are considered hazardous, different types of asbestos fibers may be
associated with different health risks. For example, the results of several studies suggest that
amphibole forms of asbestos may be more harmful than chrysotile, particularly for mesothelioma
risk, because they tend to stay in the lungs for a longer period of time (1,2).
How does smoking affect risk?
Many studies have shown that the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure is particularly
hazardous. Smokers who are also exposed to asbestos have a risk of developing lung cancer that
is greater than the individual risks from asbestos and smoking added together (3, 6). There is
evidence that quitting smoking will reduce the risk of lung cancer among asbestos-exposed
workers (4). Smoking combined with asbestos exposure does not appear to increase the risk of
mesothelioma (9). However, people who were exposed to asbestos on the job at any time during
their life or who suspect they may have been exposed should not smoke.
How are asbestos-related diseases detected?
Individuals who have been exposed (or suspect they have been exposed) to asbestos fibers on the
job, through the environment, or at home via a family contact should inform their doctor about their
exposure history and whether or not they experience any symptoms. The symptoms of asbestos-
related diseases may not become apparent for many decades after the exposure. It is particularly
important to check with a doctor if any of the following symptoms develop:
Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness
A persistent cough that gets worse over time
Bipod in the sputum (fluid) coughed up from the lungs
Pain or tightening in the chest
Difficulty swallowing
Swelling of the neck or face
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
or anemia
A thorough physical examination, including a chest x-ray and lung function tests, may be
recommended. The chest x-ray is currently the most common tool used to detect asbestos-related
diseases. Although chest x-rays cannot detect asbestos fibers in the lungs, they can help identify
any early signs of lung disease resulting from asbestos exposure (2).
A lung biopsy, which detects micrqsco^ asbestos fibers in pieces of lung tissue removed
by surgery, is the most reliable test to confirm exposure to asbestos (2). A bronchoscopy is a less
invasive test than a biopsy and detects asbestos fibers in material that is rinsed out of the lungs
(2). It is important to note that these procedures cannot determine how much asbestos an
individual may have been exposed to or whether disease will develop. Asbestos fibers can also be
detected in urine, mucus, and feces, but these tests are not reliable for determining how much
asbestos may be in an individual’s lungs (2).
How can workers protect themselves from asbestos exposure?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a component of the U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL) and is the Federal agency responsible for health and safety
egulations in maritime, construction, manufacturing, and service workplaces. OSHA established
regulations dealing with asbestos exposure on the job, specifically in construction work, shipyards,
and general industry, that employers are required to follow. In addition, the Mine Safety and
Health Administration (MSHA), another component of DOL, enforces regulations related to mine
safety. Workers should use all protective equipment provided by their employers and follow
recommended workplace practices and safety procedures. For example, National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved respirators that fit properly should be worn by
workers when required.
Workers who are concerned about asbestos exposure in the workplace should discuss the
situation with other employees, their employee health and safety representative, and their
employers. If necessary, OSHAcan provide more information or make an inspection. Information
about regional offices can also be found on
OSHAs website at https://www.osha.gov/html/RAmap.html.
More information about asbestos is available on OSHA’s Asbesfospage, which has links to
information about asbestos in the workplace, including what OSHA standards apply, the hazards of
asbestos, evaluating asbestos exposure, and controls used to protect workers. OSHA’s national
office can be contacted at:
Office of Public Affairs
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
202-693-1999
1-4800-321-6742 (1-800-321-OSHA)
1-877-889-5627 (TTY)
https://www.osha.gov/workers (workers’ page)
Mine workers can contact MSHA at:
Office of Public Affairs
Mine Safety and Health Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
202-693-9400
https://www.msha.gov
https://www.msha.gov/support-resources/forms-online-filing/2015/10/15/hazardous-conditioncomplaint (Hazardous Condition Complaint)
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which is part of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is another Federal agency that is concerned
with asbestos exposure in the workplace. NIOSH conducts asbestos-related research, evaluates
work sites for possible health hazards, and makes exposure control recommendations. In addition,
NIOSH distributes publications on the health effects of asbestos exposure and can suggest
additional sources of information. NIOSH can be contacted at:
Education and Information Division
Information Resources Branch
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
1-800-CDC-INFC (1-800-232-4636)
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh
What programs are available to help individuals with asbestosrelated diseases?
Some people with asbestos-related illness may be eligible for Medicare coverage. Information
about benefits is available from Medicare’s Regional Offices, located in 10 major cities across the
United States and serving specific geographic areas. The Regional Offices serve as the agency’s
initial point of contact for beneficiaries, health care providers, state and local governments, and the
general public. General information about Medicare is available by calling toll-free 1-800-6334227 (1-800-MEDICARE) or by visiting the Medicare website.
eople with occupational asbestos-related diseases also may qualify for financial help, including
medical payments, under state workers’ compensation laws. Because eligibility requirements vary
from state to state, workers employed by private companies or by state and local government
agencies should contact their state workers’ compensation board. Contact information for state
workers’ compensation officials may be found at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) website.
If exposure occurred during employment with a Federal agency, medical expenses and other
compensation may be covered by the Federal Employees’ Compensation Program which is
administered by the DOL Employment Standards Administration’s Office of Workers’
Compensation Programs. This program provides workers’ compensation benefits to Federal
(civilian) employees for employment-related injuries and diseases. Benefits include wage
replacement, payment for medical care, and, where necessary, medical and
vocational rehabilitation assistance in returning to work. Benefits may also be provided to
dependents if the injury or disease causes the employee’s death.
In addition, the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Program provides benefits to
ngshoremen, harbor workers, other maritime workers, and other classes of private Industry
workers who are injured during the course of employment or suffer from diseases caused or
worsened by conditions of employment. Information about eligibility and how to file a claim for
benefits under either of these programs is available from:
Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs
Employment Standards Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
1-866-692-7487 (1-866-OWCPIVR)
202-693-r~
“
0040 (Federal
Employees’ Compensation Program)
02-693-0038 (Longshore and Harbor Workers
’ Compensation Program)
https://www.dol.gov/owcp
Eligible veterans may receive health care at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical
enter for an asbestos-related disease. Veterans can receive treatment for service-connected and
nonservce-connected medical conditions. Information about eligibility and benefits is available
m the VA Health Benefits Service Center at 1-877-222-8387 (1-877-222-VETS) or on the
°thV organizations offer information related to asbestos
exposure ?
The organizations listed below can
provide more information about asbestos exposure.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is the principal Federal
agency responsible for evaluating the human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.
This agency works in close collaboration with local, state, and other Federal agencies, with tribal
governments, and with communities and local health care providers to help prevent or reduce
harmful human health effects from exposure to hazardous substances. The ATSDR provides
information about asbestos and where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. The
ATSDR can be contacted at:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFQ)
1-888-232-6348 (TTY)
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (ERA) regulates the general public’s exposure to
asbestos in buildings, drinking water, and the environment. The ERA offers a Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA) Hotline and an Asbestos Ombudsman. The TSCA Hotline provides technical
assistance and information about asbestos programs implemented under the TSCA, which include
the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act and the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act.
The Asbestos Ombudsman focuses on asbestos in schools and handles questions and complaints.
Both the TSCA Hotline and the Asbestos Ombudsman can provide publications on a number of
topics, particularly on controlling asbestos exposure in schools and other buildings. The
Ombudsman operates a toll-free hotline for small businesses, trade associations, and others
seeking free, confidential help.
The ERA website includes a list of ERA state asbestos contacts. In addition, EPAs Asbestos page
provides links to information about asbestos and its health effects, including suggestions for
homeowners who suspect asbestos in their homes, and laws and regulations applicable to
asbestos. Questions may be directed to:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
2024-554-1404 (TSCA Hotline)
1-800-368-5888 (Asbestos Ombudsman)
https://www.epa.gov/asbestos
Another ERA resource that may be of interest is the brochure titled Current Best Practices for
Preventing Asbestos Exposure Among Brake and Clutch Repair Workers. Released in April 2007,
this brochure includes work practices for both automotive professionals and home mechanics that
ma^ be used to avoid asbestos exposure. It also summarizes existing OSHA regulatory
requirements for professional auto mechanics.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is responsible for protecting the public
from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer
products, including asbestos, under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC maintains a toll-free 24-
hour hotline where callers can obtain product safety and other agency information and report
•unsafe products. In addition, CPSC publleat.ons provide guidelines for repairing and removing
estos, and general information about asbestos in the home, CPSC can be contacted at:
Office of Information and Public Affairs
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(301) 504-7923 (M-F 8 am - 4:30 pm ET)
1-800-638-2772 (Hotline)
301-595-7054 (TTY)
https://www.cpsc.gov/
Individuals can also contact their local
or state health department with questions or concerns about
asbestos.
Selected References
1. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Pubfc Health Stetemenl for Asbestos
September 2001. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
2. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for Asbestos.
September 2001. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
3. National Toxicology Program. Asbestos. In: Report on Carcinogens. Fourteenth Edition U S
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology
Program, 2016.
yy
4. Ullrich RL. Etiology of cancer: Physical factors. In: DeV.ta VT Jr., Hellman S, Rosenberg SA
editors. Cancer: Pnncples and Practice of Oncology. Vol. 1 and 2. 7th ed. Philadelphia-
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2004.
M‘"ml C°mm°dl,y SUmmades' Jmuary 2016: Asb^- ReWeved
5' Aon, «
6 AonMS
K SUbStanCeS and DISeaSe Re9lS,ry- HM'"’ £ffec,s o^sbestos. Retrieved
/April i o, ZU 11.
7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Health Effects Assessment for Asbestos September
1984. EPA/540/1-86/049 (NTIS PB86134608). Retneved April 18. 2017.
8. IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk to Humans. Arsenic
XSMFlbreS anK DUSlS
' Ly°n (FR): htemaltonal Aaeney for Research on Cancer; 2012
(IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, No. 100C.)
9. O’ReNly KMA. Melaughlin AM. Beckett WS. et al. Asbestos-related iung disease. Amencan
Family Physwan 2007; 75(5):683-688. [PubMed Abstract]
10' WorH TT
PJ' ThUrS’On G' 8' aL Hea"h and em''ro"'"«’tal consequences of the
d Trade Center disaster. Environmental Health Perspectives 2004' 112(6)731739. [PubMed Abstract]
11' ^knT’ P LU“ D' ?e health impacl °' nonoccuPation4l exposure to asbestos: what do
we know? European Journal of Cancer Prevention 2009: 18(6):489.503. [PubMed Abstract)
12. Testa JR, Cheung M, Pei J, et al. Germline BAP1 mutations predispose to malignant
mesothelioma. Nature Genetics20'\V, 43(10): 1022-1025. [PubMed Abstract]
Related Resources
Lung Cancer—Patient Version
Malignant Mesothelioma—Patient Version
What You Need To Know About™ Lung Cancer
Reviewed: June 7, 2017
Most text on the National Cancer Institute website may be reproduced or reused freely. The National Cancer
Institute should be credited as the source and a link to this page included, e.g., “Asbestos Exposure and Cancer
Risk was originally published by the National Cancer Institute. ”
Please note that blog posts that are written by individuals from outside the government may be owned by the
writer, and graphics may be owned by their creator. In such cases, it is necessary to contact the writer, artists, or
publisher to obtain permission for reuse.
Hindustan ti
H e-paper (http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx)
(https^/www.insta^amx^tadMandme^)
(http:, 'www.hindustantimes.com,)
.
34”C New Delhi,India
<httpS://www-facebook-co,n/hindustant™es) G*(https://plus.google.coni/+hindustantimes/posts) ©
HO1XIUA.
Savings on Honda two wheelers
ar? as exciting as riding them!
WD&WM «YW'
nm
UPNC BPIt!
<7.50D
fhWemihb
RIDE NOW
SBCtfljfKWIM CSHKS
?0-
?0-
India (/India-news/) world (/world-news/) cities opinion (/opinion/) indvsaus(/india.vs-australIa-2017/) fifa u-17(/fifa-uiy-world-cup-ZOV/)
entertainment (/entertainment/) Ofestyle (/ntestyie/) business (/business-news/) tech (/tech/) education (/education/) wbatnow (/what-now/)
photos (/photos/) videos (/videos/)
(httpy/wvm.hlndustantimes.com/brandstorles/tatateajaagorejutm-source^
■website&utm_cam pa ign=tata&utm_med iu m=navba r)
Q
India s contentious stand on Chrysotile asbestos is a cause for
concern for environmentalists
A delegation from India is currently in Geneva to negotiate key treaties regulating the trade in hazardous
iUpdated: May 03, 2017 14:28 1ST
materials, including chemicals and waste.
Malavika Vyawahare
Il
I
r ■
f
*/
■
,-A/
..A./.
XXs trade in°h 1haSfbrnhbanned in n,anv parts of the
i emulates trade in harmful substances. (HTFile)
for being carcinogenic but is not listed as a
hazardous substance under the Rotterdam Convention that
An Indian delegation led by environment secretary Ajay Narayan Jha is in Geneva to negotiate some of the most
.mportant environmental treaties dealing with trade in hazardous chemicals and waste.
;
Environmentalists are paying close attention to India’s stand on Chrysotile asbestos, a substance that has been banned
in many parts of the world for being carcinogenic but is not listed as a hazardous substance under the Rotterdam
Convention that regulates trade in hazardous substances.
Chrysotile asbestos should be listed as a hazardous substance under the Rotterdam Convention,” said Copal Krishna of
Toxics Watch Alliance, an India-based non-governmental organisation, adding, “all it does is places the onus on
exporters of the material to another country to obtain prior informed consent (PIC).”
India’s stand on the listing of the substance has been far from consistent. In 2011, the Indian delegation came out in
favour of including it in the list, receiving a standing ovation for taking the stand. At the next convention in 2013, India
reversed its stand based on a study by the National Institute of Occupational Health, that has been widely discredited.
This ambiguity has persisted with the government’s statements not lining up with its actions. Last year, the environment
minister for state Anil Madhav Dave said they were looking for alternatives to asbestos while maintaining that there
were no studies from India linking Chrysotile asbestos to health impacts.
Since the use of asbestos is affecting human health, its use should gradually be minimised and eventually end. As far as
I know, its use is declining. But it must end,” Dave said.
The largest Chrysolite producing and exporting countries have blocked proposals to have it included in the hazardous
substances list. In the last Rotterdam Conference of Parties in 2015 eight countries opposed such a move: Russia,
Kazakhstan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Cuba, and Zimbabwe. Russia is the largest asbestos producer, while India is the
biggest importer of the substance.
The PIC mechanism allows countries to which a substance is being exported to have a say in whether they wish to allow
future shipments of the hazardous substances. Currently, 47 chemicals are listed in Annex III of the Rotterdam
Convention, of which 33 are pesticides and 14 industrial chemicals, are subject to this requirement.
Chiysotile asbestos is a variant of asbestos that industry representatives claim is not as hazardous to human health as
other forms of Asbestos. It is predominantly used in asbestos cement building materials, which are used mostly in
developing countries.
Over 50 countries including Euiopean Union, Japan and Australia have banned the use of Asbestos altogether.
It may be less harmful but it is far from benign, according to the World Health Organisation. “Asbestos (actinolite,
amosite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite and tremolite) has been classified by the International Agency for
Research on Cancer as being carcinogenic to humans,” a 2014 WHO report
(http://www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/public_health/chrysotile_asbestos_summary.pdf)said.
=htmedialtd-hindustantimescom&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=thumbnails-a:Below Article Thumbnails.)
=htmedialtd-hindustantimescom&utm__medium=referral&utm_content=thumbnails-a:Below Article Thumbnails.)
=htmedialtd-hindustantimescom&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=thumbnails-a:Below Article Thumbnails:)
you may like
(http:/jvww.hfedaily.coni/story/22-things-you-never-knew-about-donald-trumps-kids/source/taboola/?utm_taboolaJd-451406#utm_inedium-referfal&utm_source-taboola&utin_cainpaign-TB-lNTL5-TrumpKids2)
Ever Wonder Why Donald Trump Doesn't Talk About His Daughter Tiffany? Here's Why
LifeDaily.com
?“P;teW;I!feddail^/OT/itO7/?2'thin^’yOU’neVrkneW'abOUt'dOnald’trUmpS’kids/SOUrCe/taboola/?utn1-taboolaJd=451406#utm-m
source=taboola&utm campaign=TB-INTL5-TnimpKids2)
(https-//talentedge4iVarticles/talent-managemenWutm_source-taboola&utm_mediUm-cpc&utm_campaign-taboolaTM3>sktop_article&utnvern1-TM-03-1171-01&utm_content-htPme^iakd-hinduStantimescom)
HR Course in Talent Management from XLRI - Know More
Talentedge | XLRI
https;//tlalent^^•'"/"rt'c'^o'enMnanagement^tm.souree-taboola&utmjnedium-cpc&utm.ca'npaign-tabodaTMS.desktop.article&utm term-TM-03-1171-01&utm content-lnmedialtd-hindustantimescom)
<https.Mvww.pnmevIdeoxo1TVregIorVeU/detaIl/0Q37TCJMRZSET8EP82VY26E69H/re^^
A moving take on the darker side of families. Join now to watch!
Amazon Prime Video
PROGRAMME OBJECTIVE SERIES:
PROBES/123/2008 - 2009
HUMAN HEALTH RISK
ASSESSMENT STUDIES IN
ASBESTOS BASED INDUSTRIES
IN INDIA
--------------
IS:.______ _ __ $4
Aclean
CENTRAL POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
wNkSTRY 0F env,rONMENT AND FORESTS)
Website : www.cpcb.nic.in
e-mail : cpcb@nic.in
August, 2008
FOREWORD
The Central Pollution Control Board has published a number of documents under the Programme
Objective Series (PROBES), regarding environmental issues and preventive & control measures
for pollution. The present document, on the Human Health Risk Assessment Studies in Asbestos
based Industries in India, is the latest such document. The Central Pollution Control Board
through the Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow, undertook the study for this
document.
Asbestos is mainly used for manufacturing asbestos-cement sheets, asbestos-cement pipes, brake
lining, clutch lining, asbestos yarn & ropes, gaskets & seals etc. Organised asbestos industrial
units are mostly using imported chrysotile variety of asbestos. The indigenous asbestos is mostly
used by the unorganized sector. This report provides detailed information on human risk of
asbestos exposure and its health effects. The study includes asbestos monitoring at work
environment, characterization and toxicity of indigenous asbestos, occupational and personal
histories of workers, their clinical examinations, lung function tests and chest radiological
examinations. It appears from the present investigation that unorganized units have poor
industrial hygiene conditions. The report also recommends various preventive measures to
reduce the risk of workers exposed to asbestos.
I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the work done by the team of Industrial
Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow. The suggestions made by the Project Advisory
Committee members were valuable. The efforts made by my colleagues Sh. P.K. Gupta,
Environmental Engineer and Sh. J.S. Kamyotra, Additional Director for coordinating the Study
and for finalizing the Report under the guidance of Dr. B. Sengupta, Member Secretary, CPCB,
deserve appreciation.
We in CPCB hope that this Study will be useful to the Asbestos manufacturing units, regulatory
agencies, research organizations and to all those interested in pollution control.
27th May 2008
(J. M. Mauskar)
CONTENTS
Page No.
1.
Introduction
1
2.
Field Studies
9
3.
Materials and Methods
26
4.
Results
33
5.
Discussion
48
6.
Recommendations
54
Tables
55
Figures
98
Pictures
113
References
117
Published By : Dr. B. Sengupta, Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi - 32
Printing Supervision & Layout: Keyur Shah and Satish
Composing & Laser Typesetting : Ripudaman Swami
Printed at: National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources, CSIR,
Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi-110 012.
CHAPTER 1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
According to Pooley (1972), Piney was the first author to use the word “asbestos”
referring to a fibrous mineral of Greek derivation which means “inextinguishable ” or
^unquenchable”. The word “asbestos” is defined in Webster’s Medical Dictionary as
a minera that readily separates into long flexible fibres suitable for use as noncombustible, non-conducting, chemically resistant material”.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring hydrated mineral silicate that crystallizes in fibrous
form (Mossman et al., 1990b). Mineralogically asbestos can be classified into two
major groups; the Serpentine, which includes the most abundant variety of asbestos
re. Chrysotile and the Amphibole which includes Actinolite, Amosite, Anthophyllite
Crocidolite and Tremolite (Mossman et al., 1996, ATSDR, 2001). Both groups have
different physico-chemical nature. Chrysotile is curly and stranded structure
whereas amphiboles are straight and rod like structures (ATSDR). Amphiboles are
generally more brittle and appear to be dustier and more fibrogenic than chrysotile
(Mossman et al., 1990 ; Mossman and Gee, 1989).
Asbestos fibres bear unique properties of a high tensile strength, resistance to heat
and many chemicals without having any detectable odor. Mineralogists some times
refer that the minerals crystallize into bundles of thousands of flexible fibrils that look
ike organic fibres. Terms that are sometimes used to describe asbestos or similar
minerals include fiber, fibrous, asbestiform and acicular. The term fibrous is used to
aescnbe a crystallization habit in which the fibres have a high tensile strength and
flexibility than crystals in other parts of the same mineral; asbestiform is generally
synonymous with fibrous or sometimes it means “like asbestos”; and acicular” refer
to a crystal that has a needle-like form.
Even though the use of asbestos was known to medieval India, it was commercially
exploited only since the beginning of this century. Asbestos is attractive in a broad
variety of industrial applications because of its resistance to heat and chemicals,
high tensile strength, and lower cost compared to man-made minerals. At the peak
of its demand, about 3,000 applications or types of products were of asbestos-based
(Ramanathan and Subramaniam, 2001). Asbestos is used for the manufacture of a
variety of asbestos-based products mainly as asbestos-cement (AC) sheets, AC
pipes, brake shoes, brake linings, clothes and ropes. AC industry is by far the largest
user of asbestos fibre worldwide accounting for about 85% of all uses. Asbestos is
also incorporated into cement construction materials (roofing, shingles, and cement
pipes), friction materials (brake linings and clutch pads), jointing and gaskets,
asphalt coats and sealants, and other similar products. As a result of these
applications, an estimated 20% buildings including hospitals, schools and other
1
public and private structures contain asbestos containing materials (ACM). Asbestos
in building does not spontaneously releases fibres, but physical damage to ACM by
decay, renovation or demolition can cause release of airborne fibres.
Asbestos in air at work environment is a major cause of adverse effects on health of
industrial workers. Industrialization and modernization with recent developments
enhanced the demand and consumption of asbestos thus increasing the risk of
exposure to asbestos.
1.2
Classification of Asbestos
1.2.1 Serpentine Group
1.2.1.1 Chrysotile
Chrysotile, the only representative of serpentine, also called as white asbestos
accounts for over 90% of the world’s production of asbestos. Chrysotile is a sheet
silicate, composed of planar-like silica tetrahedral with an overlying layer of brucite.
The silica-brucite sheets are slightly warped because of structural mismatch,
resulting in the propagation of a rolled scroll that forms a long hollow tube. These
tubes form the composite fiber bundle of chrysotile. Some trace oxides are always
present as a result of contamination during the formation of the mineral in the host
rock. Chrysotile asbestos is composed of soft, silky, long, flexible, pliable, and curly
and they tend to form bundles that are often curvilinear with splayed ends. Hydrogen
bonding and/or extra fibril solid matter holds such bundles together. The individual
fibres take the shape of spirally winded tubes. It is the cylindrical structure of fibre
responsible for its fibrous natures. Chrysotile fibres naturally occur in length varying
from 1 to 20 mm, with occasional specimens as long as 100 mm. In India, chrysotile
fibres occur as thin veins of 10 mm to 100 mm thickness in serpentine rocks
(Ramanathan and Subramaniam, 2001). In comparison to amphiboles, chrysotile is
less resistant to heat.
1.2.2 Amphibole Group
The amphibole minerals are double chain of silica tetrahedral, cross-linked with
bridging cations. The hollow central core typical for chrysotile is lacking. Amphibole
fibres are generally more brittle and appear to be dustier and occur as pocket
deposit in ultramafic rock.
1.2.2.1 Crocidolite
Typical crocidolite fibres bundles early disperse into fibres that are shorter and
thinner than that of other amphibole asbestos fibres. It is also called as ‘blue
asbestos’ because of its colour and possess fair spin ability.
1.2.2.2
Amosite
Amosite varies in color from yellow to gray to black brown. Tensile strength is much
less than that of chrysotile or crocidolite, and it has only fair spin ability and poor
resistance to heat. It is also called as ‘brown asbestos’.
2
Industry & Economy - Health
The Hindu eBooks
Indian asbestos cement not a health hazard
R.Y. Narayanan
Coimbatore , Oct. 20
THE Indian asbestos fibre cement is not a health hazard, as asbestos is
perceived to be in the US, where the industry is facing flak for asbestos-related
health problems.
The applications to which the asbestos cement is used in India is also different
from asbestos use in the US and studies (of employees) conducted in factories
manufacturing fibre cement sheets in India have not shown any occupational
hazard caused by exposure to this product, according to an industry executive.
Speaking to Business Line, Mr Manish Sanghi, Executive Director (Marketing),
Everest Industries Ltd (EIL), said Indians have been living under asbestos-roofed
buildings for a long time and they "haven't seen anything happening to them for
generations.
He had seen photographs of buildings in the company that were taken in 1930s
that reinforce this belief.
Asked about fears of asbestos causing health hazards, he said "asbestos is
harmful, asbestos cement is not harmful". He said asbestos was a small fibre
that was mined and if one inhaled that over a long period of time, it accumulated
in the lungs and caused 'asbestosis'. But when this is mixed with cement, one
does not inhale it.
He said the company conducted a small study which showed that for a person
working in the factory manufacturing asbestos fibre cement roofing sheets
where the exposure is "likely to be the maximum", it would take him about 800
years to have a 5 per cent chance of getting the disease" which effectively
means that nothing would happen during his lifetime.
Mr Manish Sanghi, whose company is manufacturing fibre cement roofing
materials and interior building boards and has factories in four locations across
the country, said the company conducted a small survey at its units near
Coimbatore and in Kymore in Madhya Pradesh of people who had retired after
working for 30 years to 40 years and checked their health status.
He said, "We have not found a single case of anybody having any asbestosrelated diseases".
When pointed out that in the —
US asbestos; was perceived to be causing health
hazards, the EIL official said in the US, asbestos was used primarily for
insulation purposes".
For insulation use, it was sprayed and people inhaled it. In the US, the context
was insulation and in India it was fibre cement (in a cement matrix). The two
were entirely different.
He said asbestos, a fibrous silicate mineral that is incombustible, was being
imported since mining of asbestos was not allowed in India.
Among the asbestos varieties, blue and brown caused more harm than the white
variety. In the US, the first two were largely used. For sheeting purposes in
India, the white asbestos variety was being used.
It was imported from Russia, Canada, Zimbabwe and Brazil in a fibre form by his
company.
Mr Manish Sanghi said the raw asbestos would not come into any direct human
contact during manufacture of sheets in any factory in India and the raw
material was fed into the system with its packing intact.
The asbestos fibre roofing has a market size of 1.5 million tonnes per year in the
country and has been growing at the rate of 10 per cent per annum in the past
four or five years.
c ,. . u
INDIA'S ASBESTOS TIME BOMB
Edited by David Allen and Laurie Kazan-Allen
1
For further information about this publication, please contact:
Laurie Kazan-Allen, Coordinator, IBAS
email: laurie@lkaz.demon.co.uk
website: http://www.ibasecretariat.org
© IBAS - London, September 2008.
Published by:
The International Ban Asbestos Secretariat, UK
The Building and Woodworkers International, Switzerland
The International Metalworkers' Federation, Switzerland
Asia Monitor Resource Center
The Asian Network for the Rights of Occupational Accident Victims
Corporate Accountability Desk - The Other Media, India
Ban Asbestos Network of India
The Peoples Training and Research Centre, Baroda, India
Design: Eve Borker
Photographs: P. Madhavan, Hein du Plessis, Madhumita Dutta,
Jagdish Patel, Nick Clarke, Gopal Krishna, Annie Thebaud-Mony
Cartoons and cover illustration: Mike Italiaander
Printer: Justasec Printer Services Ltd. London NW9 6JL England
This publication is printed on ECF paper from sustainable forests
About IBAS
The International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS) was established
in 1999; it is an independent non-governmental organization which
has two objectives; a worldwide ban on asbestos and justice for all
asbestos victims. IBAS monitors, analyzes and disseminates news
received from the ever-expanding network of individuals and groups
involved in the international movement against asbestos, as well as
information from legal, medical and industry sources. IBAS produces
written material and organizes conferences to raise the profile of
asbestos issues.
The work of IBAS is coordinated by Laurie Kazan-Allen.
2
CONTENTS
Prefaces
Ravindra Ganpat Mohite
6
Mangabhai N. Patel
Introduction
7
Laurie Kazan-Allen
8
THE POLITICAL CONTEXT OF INDIA'S ASBESTOS DEBATE
The Indian Government's Complicity in the Asbestos Scandal
13
Madhumita Dutta
Smoke and Mirrors: Chrysotile Asbestos is Good for Yoi
u - Illusion and Confusion but not Fact 16
Dr. Richard Lemen
Abuse of the Mass Media by the Indian Asbestos Industry
21
Dr. Sanjay Chaturvedi
QUANTIFYING THE PROBLEM
Health Hazards due to Asbestos Exposure in India
23
Dr. Qamar Rahman
Dumping Hazardous Waste in India: Toxic Ships
26
Copal Krishna
Living with Asbestos: A Dangerous Existence
30
Anup Srivastava and Vipul Pandya
Views from the Asbestos Front Line
32
P. Madhavan
Potential Health Hazards of Asbestos-Cement Roofing for India’s Poor
36
Nick Clarke
Asbestos Multinationals in India: The Experience of Turner 8 Newall
42
Dr. Geoff rey Tweedale
GUJARAT: AN ASBESTOS HOT SPOT
The struggle against Asbestos-Related Diseases in Gujarat
46
Jagdish Patel
"Monitoring" Environmental Pollution
and Asbestos Exposure in Gujarat
52
Dr. Linda Waldman
DIAGNOSIS, TREAMENT AND COMPENSATION
Asbestos-Related Disease in India
Dr. Sudhakar R. Karnat
55
Difficulties in the Diagnosis of Asbestosis in India
Dr. V. Murlidhar
56
The Struggle by Mumbai Workers for Compensation
Dr. Rakhal Gaitonde and Madhumita Dutta
59
AND FINALLY....
The Future
Laurie Kazan-Allen
Appendices
A Asbestos-Related Diseases
B Production, Imports and Consumption of Asbestos in India, 1920-2006
C Consumption of Asbestos in India, 1960-2006
D National Asbestos Bans and Restrictions
E Useful Contacts
F Letter from Tata Memorial Hospital
65
66
References
68
3
,gg
WSBS
F® ■
THE CRIM REALITY
•‘Everythin I have, in my Lfe is dace to (my employer) SaintQoboMfy tKclot-cUKcj bny tbuuj cancer. ”
Asbestos cancer victim, Sebastiao Aparecido Alves da Silva, Brazil
"lasyto be an athlete once,, now fl even walk.a, little,faster
orclumb wfew-fyhts ofstairs, I am breathless. Icanteknrun
OsjUirpaces.”
Asbestosis sufferer, Ravindra Canpat Mohite, India
"Thr-padnis very strong t[is] riyht through my ckest and
between.my shoulders. IfulUUanemptyvessdwktedd.es
fwt fume- Luuujs cumi Or keart ituide,."
Asbestos sufferer, Lenora Lands, South Africa
V loi^Lwyfutker, but I bate ubertos. "
Ms. Kazumi Yoshizaki, daughter of Japanese mesothelioma victim
'I boM. Lost myfather, mother mut. one, brother to asbestos
cancer; ofthe, rest ofonrfamdy, one- brother is batehna
usssotLveLLoma, and I hauepleuralpUyuss. My other two
brothers appear,for the- time, beh^, free, ofany scan ofasbestosrelated disease but tU sword of Vamoclss Lumas over us all."
Eric Jonckheere, family member, Belgium
My husband- Alanpaid the, ultimatettricefor his exposure to
asbestos - his life. Ons, life Lost to an asbestos-caused disease is
treyus; hundreds ofthousands oflives lost is unconscionalle."
Mrs. Linda Reinstein, U.S.
Ade-rtw ddease-s and asbestos cancers dadw kwdreds
oftfw^aKdsofU^e^xkyea^. They ase, not ImoI
obstavdu o^stated
uttriu. They are- death ottd sudjddta LKcaystates."
Dr. Michael R. Harbut, U.S.
l started with, 25 (fellow- workers). There's two ofus left, the
others are dead with asbestos. Thepraveyard isfull of my
(trade. unu>n) members. I have a, black tie I constantly wear,
Mendum}fiddterats asbestos cases."
UK asbestos worker and trade unionist Joe Cowell
5
PREFACE RAVINDRA GANPAT MOHITE
was 21 years old when I joined the
workforce of Hindustan Ferodo's
Ghatkopar factory in the north of
Mumbai (1973). I worked there for 33
years until 2006, when the factory,
now called Hindustan Composites
Limited (HCL), was closed down and
workers were compelled to take early
retirement under a voluntary retire
ment scheme.
My brother used to work for HCL
and suggested that I get a job at the
factory. I did not have any idea of
the factory or what it manufactured.
When I started, I was given the job
of maintaining the machinery in
the asbestos textile manufacturing
section. There were two machines
with 116 spindles and my job was to
ensure that these machines oper
ated smoothly. Our section produced
yarns of polyester interweaved with
asbestos fibers for making fire resist
ant textiles.
When I started work at the factory,
neither I nor my colleagues knew
anything about asbestos or its
health effects. But during the course
of our work, we noticed warning
labels about dangers on drums and
bags. Company officials did not tell
us anything about the dangers of
asbestos or the safety measures we
needed to protect ourselves from
hazardous exposures. It was only in
2004, 31 years after I started working
with asbestos, that I came to know
about the health impact of asbestos,
through an initiative of our Union
6
and a health check-up at the factory
gate by members of the Occupational
Health and Safety Centre. The factory
management never told us anything.
There were periodic health check-ups
conducted by the company, which
were done frequently earlier, but later
infrequently. No data or diagnosis
reports were ever shared with us. The
company doctors looked at our health
reports and X-rays 6-7 months after
the check-ups or tests were done and
never told us anything.
Although we were not told about the
harm of asbestos, we were some
times given cotton masks to wear.
There was no air suction machine fit
ted in the production unit to remove
dust. Our workplace used to be very
dusty and workers were always cov
ered with a layer of white dust. Now
I know that many of us were exposed
to dangerous levels of asbestos fibers
while working in the factory due to
poor working conditions. I know of at
least 20 of my co-workers who died in
their 50s. One of my colleagues died
of cancer; he was in his 40s. There
are two more that are now battling
with throat and lung cancer. I used to
be an athlete once, now if I even walk
a little faster or climb a few flights of
stairs, I am breathless. I can't even
run a few paces. I was diagnosed with
asbestosis during the 2004 factory
gate medical check-up.
Neither HCL nor the government has
done anything to help the injured
workers who were exposed to asbes
tos. While the company flatly denies
the occurrence of such exposure,
the Government has never stepped
in to do anything beneficial for the
workers. Moreover, a case filed by
our Union on behalf of 36 exposed
workers in 2005 in the Court is being
indefinitely delayed and in the last
three years only 7 to 8 workers have
been cross examined.
I took voluntary retirement in 2006
after fighting the company's illegal
closure of the Ghatkopar factory. I
have a family of four to support. The
money I got through voluntary retire
ment is my only source of income.
PREFACE MANCABHAI N. PATEL
■ n 1965,1 joined Ahmedabad Elec■ tricity Corporation (now known as
■ Torrent Power) as a casual worker.
I was given a job as helper in the
boiler room of the company.
given low wages and the most dan
gerous kinds of jobs in factories. They
are not allowed to even unionize.
with. Finally, in 1995 I had to quit
work in the boiler room due to my
failing health and started working in
the office on menial jobs.
For the first 15 years of my job in the
factory, while I was a casual worker,
In 1996, a lawyer named Rani Advani
I am an illiterate person. I come from
I did not get the benefit of medical ‘
from the Consumer Education and
Chandkheda, a small village near
check-ups that the company con
Research Centre helped 8 of us, who ‘
Gandhinagar. I was 25 years old
ducted every 2-3 years for permanent
when I came to Ahmedabad city look
were diagnosed with asbestosis,
workers. After I became a permanent
file a case in Gujarat High Courtfor
ing for work. We had a large family
worker, there were medical check-ups
and needed to support them. So I
compensation. The Court ordered the
done, but I and my colleagues never
National Institute of Occupational
took the first job I got.
knew what the company doctors did
Health to examine us. Two of the
My job was to assist the skilled ma
with our reports or what were the
workers died before the NIOH could
sons in the boiler room who did the
findings. In 1990,1 started developing
examine them. Two of us were diag
insulation work on boilers. We used
breathing problems. I could not lift
nosed
with asbestosis by the NIOH.
to remove or add the white insulation
heavy objects, working, walking, talk
While the High Court kept deliberat
material packed around the boilers.
ing everything became a problem.
ing our case, my colleague Kishan
There were 10-15 casual workers
Every breath I took was painful. The
Goplani died. The court ordered an
working with me in this section. In
company did a health check-up and
interim compensation of Rs10,000
1980,1 was given permanent job
said I was fine, there was no problem
(US$ 250) be paid to me in 1997.
status in the factory.
with me. Then why can't I breathe
Meanwhile my failing health, need
properly, why does it hurt so much? I
When I joined the company, I and
for medical attention and on top of
did
not
understand.
my co-workers had no knowledge of
that my inability to do any work was
asbestos or its effect. No one ever
I went to Raghunathbhai Manwar,
putting a lot of burden on my family.
told us anything about it. Certainly
a trade union representative in our
They threw me out of my own house.
the company did not. The only thing
factory, who took me to see a retired
So I started begging near Ramji
we knew was our factory generated
doctor, Dr. Arthur C. Clarke. They told
Temple
to support myself. From an
electricity from coal. In fact, we used
me about asbestos and its effect on
able-bodied worker, I was reduced to
to casually handle the "white mate
workers who get exposed to it. Dr.
an infirm old man.
rial." Due to poor maintenance in
Clarke helped me to get a proper
In February 2008,1 received
many places the insulation lining was
diagnosis of my medical condition;
Rs160,000 (US $4000) from the
exposed. We used to playfully throw
he also did health check-ups of my
handfuls of this "white material" at
company as an out-of- court settle
co-workers. Raghunathbhai helped
ment. I guess I was lucky to get this
our co-workers.
to identify other workers in a similar
money. But many of my co-workers,
The company never gave us any train situation. We learned we had a dis
■■■„
,ease called "asbestosis." We
..cu.uuui
atl™st
of them, who were
did not
ing for safety or M.uLemun.Anaaso
protection. And as a
casual worker, you cannot even ask
kn°W what '* was' but understood
™ 'n the bol,er room' were n°tfor anything, your job is very insecure.
We,haVe gOt this clisMse because
ne™,™
qU'etly' painful1''ancl in
Casual workers are treated very badly,
°f that wh,te materia|/' we worked
7
INTRODUCTION LAURIE KAZAN-ALLEN
[
w
Laurie-Kazan Allen,
IBAS Coordinator; email:
lourietattaz. demon.co. uk
“while the machines
were in operation
the dust would fly
and at the moment
they were stopped,
they would sweep
out the dust and
collect it to one side,
with their hand... the
naked hand. Just be
swept up.’’
Mumbai factory
worker
'J historically the burden of industrial pollution has
■■reached the developing world much faster than
B Bthe fruits of industrial growth," writes Dr. Sanjay
Chaturvedi. This statement is well illustrated by the evolu
tion of the asbestos industry in India. In the frantic rush for
economic development, there has been a pervasive lack of
concern for the health of workers and the contamination
of the environment. Sacrificing the lives of the few for the
"good" of the many, the Indian Government has knowingly
colluded in this sad state of affairs.
In the power stations things were no better according to
Mangabhai N Patel:
"It cannot be disputed that no development is possible
without some adverse effect on the ecology and environ
ment ... The comparative hardships have to be balanced
and the convenience and benefit to a larger section of
the people has to get primacy over comparatively lesser
hardship."1
"When I joined the company, I and my co-workers had no
knowledge of asbestos or its effect. No one ever told us any
thing about it. Certainly the company did not... The company
never gave us any training for safety or protection."
Elected representatives and civil servants have been encour
aged to turn a blind eye to "Dickensian" working conditions
thereby exposing generations of workers to the debilitating
and deadly diseases caused by asbestos.2
Despite the reassurances of industry stakeholders that as
bestos is being used "safely under controlled conditions,"
|iving with asbestos in India is a "dangerous existence"
cording to the paper by Anup Srivastava and Vipul Pandya;
Research conducted for this monograph has revealed that
between 1960-2006, 4.8 million tonnes of asbestos were
used in India;3 although data is unavailable for 2007-2008,
based on figures from 2006, it is not unreasonable to estimate that cumulative asbestos consumption in India between 1960-2008 will top 5.5 million tonnes.4 As there is
no safe level of exposure to asbestos and as even minimal
precautions have been lacking, phenomenal numbers of
workers have received hazardous exposures. The fallout from
India's asbestos mining and processing will be measured in
lives lost, communities blighted and infrastructure contami
nated. National and state governments in India maintain a
stony silence on the collateral damage caused by the wide
spread use of asbestos; virtually nothing has been done to
quantify the effects of environmental pollution in the wider
community. The objective of this monograph is to give the
people working on these issues the opportunity to present
the evidence they have collected; the papers which follow
constitute a damning indictment of a government that has
prioritized the interests of the corporate sector above all else.
these authors highlight the risks to "millions of construclion workers who may be exposed during maintenance,
renovation and demolition activities in buildings that con
tain asbestos." P. Madhavan's graphic photographs confirm that hazardous conditions continue in today's work
places while Nick Clarke's discussion of the fallout from
the increasing use of asbestos-cement roofing material in
India leaves the reader in little doubt as to the capacity this
material has to liberate fibers in domestic settings, especially urban slums.
Decades of Economic Growth and Hazardous Exposures
Things could have been very different. India's commercial
exploitation of asbestos began in earnest in the 1970s.
Over the next 30 years, national usage grew by nearly
300%. That this industry was allowed to flourish at a time
when the occupational, environmental and domestic haz
ards of asbestos exposure were firmly established is scan
dalous; that the Government of India made no attempt to
track the health effects of asbestos use on at-risk workers is
unforgivable. Companies like Turner & Newall, Hindustan
Composites, Visaka Industries, Eternit Everest, Hyderabad
Industries, Utkal Asbestos, Ramco Industries and others
8
have profited from the manufacture of asbestos-containing
products in India. As the authors of the prefaces which pre
cede the introduction point out, employers did not inform
their workforces of the nature of the raw material they
were handling; neither did they provide protective clothing
or equipment. The situation in asbestos textile manufactaring is described as follows by Ravindra Ganpat Mohite:
"company officials did not tell us anything about the dangers of asbestos or safety measures that we need to take to
protect ourselves from exposure."
The Indian Government has been guilty of malign neglect
in its failure to act on the asbestos hazard. Long after the
health consequences of occupational exposure were known,
asbestos dust counts of up to I5f/cc were recorded at Hin
dustan Ferodo, a British-owned company that produced
asbestos textiles, jointings, millboard and brake linings in
Mumbai (1978). Footage of this factory which appeared
in a landmark television documentary showed clouds of
asbestos dust emanating from the plant "contaminating
the streets and railway tracks around the factory." A factory
worker described extremely dusty conditions in the carding
department: "while the machines were in operation the
dust would fly and at the moment they were stopped, they
would sweep out the dust and collect it to one side, with
their hand... the naked hand. Just be swept up."
In the "golden corridor" of Gujarat State, occupational ex
posure to asbestos has been a routine occurrence for dec
ades in a multitude of industrial sectors: power generation,
ship-breaking, production of cement, insulation, chemicals,
pharmaceuticals, friction materials and safety equipment.
Examples of ignorance and superstition emanating from
this situation are legendary such as the comment by one
Chief Inspector of Factories who said that workers in Gu-
said 'Targe numbers of work-in Gujarat would Iwe 'died
COmpe"ed t0 certlfy an
as normal when it is not."
'
trv) bPlipvp in r H hterVn Gu,arat- (if Workers and indusnrnri f6 6 u
rUSt In God and work with Godz then
t n ' in hn' ealthrd SOfety W0Uld be in 0 9°od «ndh
Dl5eases in Gu/arat- Workers with suspectasbestosis were adjudged to be able-bodied by the Empl°^S State lnsurar|ce Corporation (ESIC)/ a contributoTy
Ashes
Monltorin9" Environmental Pollution and
Asbestos Exposure in Gu/arat, Dr. Linda Waldman explains-
betalth 'nSU™nce scheme
with treating and compen
satln9 injured workers. When asked by the Supreme Court
"Having spirituality means that, even if unsafe conditions
prevail, the workers will be 'well aware' and accidents will
not happen. Telepathy and sensors in their bodies will en
able workers to guess that something is going to happen
and to take preventative action. Following this line some
state doctors argue that the majority of illness is ps'ycho-
the crlferlon used to arrive at this finding, an ESIC
tisenm™" eXp alned "that since they had neither exper'ft to
to dla9nose asbestosis, they issued
sionals m <
T The f°'lure °f med'cal professftutes n
asbestos-related diagnoses, which con
comnensaZ from
?
VktimS' at‘emp,S to obtain
somatic and stems from the stressful conditions workers
experience. But if they can achieve a mental balance and
supreme energy from their spirituality, then they will be in
a much better position to deal with this Termed 'Disas
ter Management with a new and unique appmach tfts
approach means that workers are themselves to blame
or their illness and therefore should seek compensation
through their beliefs and increased religious piety."
Zs
If one were to subscribe to the religious technique of disaser management as described previously, then faith must
be lacking in the country's ship-breaking yards as asbesto-
sis is n e amongst the workforce, many of whom "are mi
grant and casual workers driven by poverty to the Along
yards." India has attracted widespread condemnation for
lb “iHingness to import hazardous waste contained on
oard redundant ships, such as the Blue Lady and the Riky
“V do'ng so, they not only expose ship-breaking workers
and their families to a cocktail of toxins including asbestos,
Bs and radioactive waste, but also jeopardize the health
of local people such as the 30,000 villagers in Gujarat's
Bhavnagar district who have the misfortune to live in dose
proximity to Along.
Miners and workers from asbestos processing units and fachm^|,^’ted levels"
asbestosis and obstructive lung disease from uL.upuuu„ul
i occupational
asbestos exposures. As described in the paper Health Hatords Due to Asbestos Exposure in India, Dr. Qamar Rahman
observed the use of obsolete technologies, a total lack of
.
- ■
-------protective clothingnr
orJtqUo?en ' poor housekeePin9 practices and "little cor
• cept of the proper disposal of asbestos
waste" at workplaces
she imnortoH
inspected u,h,i
whdsTco^du^g
aces she
r.
. a
survey for the Central Pollution Control Board.
Medical Failures: Ignorance Compounded by Bias
,
’
India's medical
a™
’
$
I
II I
'w- -
iS due t0 m9ltiple
o™„
u
and preSSUre from industry and/
illnesses bv mi d d0Wnplay tbe 'ncidence of occupational
hem
V m/sdlc'9r'oslr19 Festos-related diseases as tu-'
°SIS "
'
'
Company
screening
programs consisting of periodic Xraymg of selected ports of the workforce did nothing to
safeguard workers' health. Test results and health reports
were nearly always withheld from workers. As far as one
employer was concerned (Turner & Newall), the results of
the X;rays were considered "the property of the manage
ment. In his paper, Dr. Tweedale relates the story of one
Indian chest physician who:
■
,,reCalled reviewin9 Hindustan Ferodo films in the lote
98°S °nd found that up to nearly a third had lung dam?9e ™sistent “dh asbestos exposure. When he tried
t0 ake ll Up wlth the “mpany he was told his diagnoses
Were "T9' 11 was reP°rted that court action against the
comPany bab been totally ineffectual."
Discussions with workers from the Hindis
f
‘"i.uuotan Composites
factory were reported by Dr. Rakhal Caitonde and Madhur - rTL l
Wh° confirmed the utility of corporate medical
check’uPs:
"chest X-rays and medical examinations were performed
every year, they (workers) were never told of the signifi
wnce of these procedures, nor were they given any results
They told us that in the early days (1960s and 1970s) chest
A-iays were done even every six months and for every
orie wthout fail, but as time went by especially after the
1990s, ^e whole system became haphazard- if you were
not present on the given day you might go without an
X-ray for the entire year. It seems that the company was
providing the X-ray facility to satisfy bureaucratic demands
not out of any genuine concern for the workers' health "
—
P.aderits Wlth asbe—
stos-related disease.
“~‘h fc
“ta""
fc-
'"Occupational Health' is taught as part of the much-ma-
h'formation Black Hole: No One Knows, No One Cares
ligned subject of Community Medicine, and students rarely
fo/asbestosisX0"'^0^ 110 radlolog'cal plates- mandatory
11 hard to believe that in a countrv with surh „ . m
treated judicial system, where public interest litigation to
here k n
r
the top medical colle9«...
there is no postgraduate degree on occupational health
ava.lable at any of the major medical colleges... Conse-
establish the rights of asbestos workers can be b
„
before the Supreme Court the lack of data on n^h t^
related diseases can be anythin^other then ,
'
thTexnertise to
™dlolo9y Physician, lacking
P
se to diagnose asbestosis unambiguously, may
As Dr. Sudhakar Kamat reports in his paper Asbestos^Relatecl Disease in India:
__
9
I
"Although mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer
are recognized around the world, in India neither one of
these diseases is commonly reported. This is not surprising
as in India, cancer is not a notifiable disease. While there
are some regional cancer registries, poor data collection
and inadequate death certificate registration combined
with other factors result in a spectacular underestimate of
asbestos-related cancer. According to data from regional
cancer registries in India, between the years of 1993-1997
there were a total of 56 mesotheliomas."
As there is a powerful interaction between exposure to as
bestos and cigarette smoking in the causation of asbestosrelated lung cancer and as there are 120 million smokers
in India, the continued use of asbestos, an acknowledged
carcinogen, is no doubt contributing to a massive loss of
life in India.7
■
“The question of
health does not
appear to be a
concern in some
countries where life
expectancy is only
35... most people die
by age 35 of other
causes than old age
or of a cancer that
takes 35 or 40 years
to grow.”
President of the. (Canadian)
National Asbestos Society
In his discussion about The Difficulties in the Diagnosis of
Asbestosis in India, Dr. V. Murlidhar points out that:
"Like many chronic occupational diseases asbestosis exists
in a climate of uncertainty, concerning exposure controls,
diagnoses and assessment of disability. Exposure limits
and disability assessments are often influenced by socio
political factors, while reliable diagnoses depend on access
to suitable diagnostic tools and appropriate training of
clinicians. There is frequently uncertainty about the precise
source of asbestos exposure, and about the nature and
speed of the disease processes - despite the public percep
tion that medicine is an exact science. This uncertainty is
compounded by the lack of a clear regulatory framework
and the lack of understanding among concerned parties
about the limited legal regulations."
If those who contract these diseases are not counted, does
their suffering count? Does anyone care about them or the
bereaved families they leave behind? That former employ
ers don't care can be surmised by their failure to pay com
pensation; that the government doesn't care is evinced by
its failure to even acknowledge their existence.
Compensation Process: Too Little, Too Late!
Despite High Court rulings, Supreme Court orders, grassroots campaigning and detailed legislation, obtaining
compensation for an asbestos-related disease in India re
quires the stamina of an Olympic athlete and the patience
of a saint; qualities lacked by people experiencing short
ness of breath and severe pain on a daily basis. Overcoming
the formidable hurdles to obtaining an accurate diagnosis
however is child's play compared to surmounting the barri
ers blocking access to compensation. Successful claimants
are few and far between; those who manage to navigate
their way through the system receive paltry sums:
♦ Rs 10,000 (then around $800) in 1984 for the death
of Sri Dhiraj Sonaji, a worker in an asbestos-cement
factory;
♦ Rs 170,000 ($4,250) paid by instalments of Rs 10,000
in 1997 and Rs 160,000 in 2008 to Mangabhai Patel, a
former power plant worker incapacitated by asbestosis;
♦ Rs 150,000 (then $4170) in 1996 to the daughter
of the late Kishan Goplani, who had worked at the
Ahmedabad Electricity Company.
10
In Gujarat, the ESIC has compensated eight individuals
for asbestos-related disease, all of whom were workers
at Digvijay Cement; not one claim for these diseases has
been paid out in Gujarat under the Workmen's Compen
sation Act. The intransigence of asbestos companies when
it comes to compensating those they have injured is well
known. The Manager of the Ghatkopar plant of Hindustan
Composites wrote to a trade unionist:
"the conclusions drawn by you, that workmen listed are
affected by asbestosis are far fetched, not supported by
sound medical inferences and are with certain motives....
The company has qualified Medical Practitioners for
regular check ups and maintains the records as per the
rules and regulations as laid down by the Directorate of
Industrial Safety & Health."
The Fix is In: Industry Control of the
National Asbestos Debate
The economic interests of India's asbestos industry are fur
thered by strategies well-honed by international tobacco
companies, including the use of industry propaganda, the
commissioning of junk science masquerading as "scientific
research" and personal and professional attacks on critics.
It is ironic that even as big tobacco provides a role model
for asbestos moguls, the synergistic effect of combining
tobacco and asbestos is condemning many Indians to an
early grave. A sustained and nationwide disinformation
campaign designed to protect the asbestos sector from
adverse publicity and unwelcome regulation has been
ongoing for decades. Turner & Newall, the British-owned
company which "led the way" in opening up asbestos
markets in India, drew on its experience at home to advise
company officials in Mumbai (1937) not to introduce dust
control in the factory as to do so might create suspicions:
"once the word gets around that asbestos is a dangerous
occupation, it may seriously affect our labor force at some
future date."8 As in the UK, Turner & Newall executives lied
to factory inspectors in order to "avoid tiresome regulations
and the introduction of dangerous occupation talk." The
depth of concern asbestos executives had for their workers
is revealed in a statement made by T&N's Chairman Ralph
Bateman in 1971:
"in many of these (developing) countries the life expectan
cy is so low... that the question of the very, very small risk
of mesothelioma that may exist in exposure to asbestos in
some situations, is totally outweighed by the contribution
that asbestos pipe and other products can make..."
Canadian asbestos exporters to India agreed that the risks
to Indian workers could be ignored. In 1982, Daniel Perlstein, President of the (Canadian) National Asbestos Soci
ety (Societe Nationale de 'Amiante) said:
"The question of health does not appear to be a concern
in some countries where life expectancy is only 35... most
people die by age 35 of other causes than old age or of a
cancer that takes 35 or 40 years to grow."0
The well-resourced and unfettered public relations cam
paign mounted in India by asbestos stakeholders has
provided fruitful material for several authors in this mono
graph:
♦ Dr. Sanjay Chaturvedi describes a 2003-2004 media blitz
krieg by the asbestos lobby which included special supple
ments, "news stories," full page features and advertise
ments in magazines and national newspapers such as
The Indian Express exonerating chrysotile asbestos;
^*1
w
♦ Madhumita Dutta presents a detailed analysis of
current attempts by industry to sabotage government
research into the health effects of exposure to asbestos;
she categorizes the continuing use of asbestos in India
as a "Crime Against Humanity";
♦ Dr. Richard Lemen deconstructs current global asbestos
propaganda initiatives describing them as "smoke
and mirrors... illusion and confusion but not fact"; he
dissects the epidemiological and scientific flaws in the
ongoing attempt in India to "whitewash the effects of
chrysotile asbestos," citing factual errors, inappropri
ate methodologies, incorrect sampling techniques and
unrepresentative cohorts.
B
■
Betrayal of Civil Society by the
Political-Industrial Establishment
In developed countries, you can't even give asbestos away
nowadays; there are laws which prevent society's use of this
poisonous substance.10 To absorb the fall in global demand
for chrysotile, asbestos pushers have aggressively targeted
consumers in countries with booming economies and lax
health and safety regulations. They found a ready market
in India as well as ruthless entrepreneurs willing to exploit
a substance regardless of the potential harm it poses.
India's asbestos lobby, coordinated by the Asbestos Infor
mation Centre (AIC) and the Asbestos Cement Products
Manufacturing Association, has plenty of money to throw
around; business is, after all, booming as evinced by a
steady increase in national chrysotile consumption. Work
ing with stakeholders at home and abroad, asbestos events
are planned and initiatives are mounted to convince Indian
officials and consumers that chrysotile is indispensable;
the fact that safer alternatives are available, as discussed
in Nick Clarke's paper: Potential Health Hazards of Asbestos
Cement Roofing for India's Poor, is consistently denied by
vested interests. Links between Indian asbestos trade associations and their international counterparts were uncovered by Canadian emails and briefing documents obtained
in 2002 by researcher Ken Rubin under the Canadian Ac
cess to Information Act:
"Over the past decade, the (Canadian) Asbestos Institute in
cooperation with the Indian Asbestos Information Center
(AIC), a member of the Asbestos International Associa
tion which represents the interests of the asbestos industry
worldwide, has been very active in promoting and ensuring
the safe use of chrysotile asbestos in India."11
The Rubin dossier" contains details of a meeting between
Brigadier Sethi of the AIC and Martin Barratt, Second Secretary (Commercial) of the Canadian High Commission in
India in New Delhi on October 8, 2002:
"I met with Brig. Sethi of the Asbestos Information Centre
this afternoon. We discussed AIC participation in the workshop on November 11 ora separate get together on Novem-
■
ber 12. Do you have any further information on whether
Mine Jeffrey or LAB (Canadian asbestos mining companies)
are participating in this mission? The AIC membership is
meeting this Friday (Oct. 11) and Sethi will gauge interest in ’
setting up one on one meetings for the 12th. I also advised
him that some of the delegation will be in Hyderabad or
Kolkata and he will inform me of interest in those cities as
well."12
The Canadian files document steps taken by Canadian chrysotile suppliers to influence India's asbestos debate:
"Since the Indian market is well known by LAB and the cli
ent base well established, these dinners are not expected
to result in additional business. What is essential at this
time is to ensure continued market access for chrysotile as
bestos. As you know, the Indian iron and steel industry as
(sic) been undermining the continued use of chrysotile asbestos cement products in the wake of the European asbestos ban. The (Canadian) Minister's presence in India gives
us the opportunity to reinforce the Indian government's resolve t0 Pursue the controlled-use of chrysotile asbestos."13
Canadian enthusiasm for cultivating a close relationship
with allies in India is easily explained:
11
Environmental health survey in asbestos cement sheets manufacturing
industry
F. A. Ansari, V. Bihari, S. K. Rastogi, M. Ashauin. and I. Ahmad
Author information ► Copyright and License information ►
INTRODUCTION
Go to:
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral occurring in natural deposits. Asbestos fibres are divided into two classes,
serpentine and amphibole, on the basis of their crystal structure.[1] Chrysotile is a fibrous hydrated
magnesium silicate mineral [Mg3Si2(OH)4], which is used, in about 3,000 commercial products.[2] In
reference of the situation persisted few decades earlier, presently the exposure to asbestos fibre is restricted
in developed and industrialized countries and pressure has started mounting in the developing countries.[2]
The delay between exposure and manifestation of diseases is however, still escalating in both developed and
undeveloped countries. Chrysotile, the commercial variety of asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma.[3]
Although, chrysotile is the most common variety of asbestos, it accounts for over 95 per cent of the world
production and is exploited in more than 40 countries. AC industry is the largest user of chrysotile asbestos
through out the world and AC products are made stronger by the addition of approximately 5% to 10% of
chrysotile asbestos during mixing of cement[4] because asbestos provides the desired strength to the
products. The most important products based on chrysotile fibres are AC sheets and AC pipes as mentioned
earlier however, while other products of major importance are friction materials, insulation boards, millboard
and brake - shoe etc.
Asbestos - cement makes up 85 per cent of all commercial applications^] and these products are also being
used as low-cost building materials. [6] Currently, manufacturing of chrysotile products is undertaken in more
than 100 countries and production is about 27 to 30 million tons annually. India consumes about one lakh
tons of chrysotile every year, mostly imported from Canada, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Russia and South Africa.[7]
AC products are manufactured mostly in wet process.
Although, air pollution levels of asbestos were reported to be elevated in the areas surrounded by asbestos
industries. [8] The emission of asbestos may be negligible to significant depending on its rate of emission and
the fibre control measures and technology.[8] Other little possible emission sources during the processing of
these products may be feeding of asbestos fibres into mixing, blending the mixture, cutting and finishing of
end products. Cement particles, asbestos fibres and agglomerates of particles and fibres are therefore,
released in the surrounding and may be dispersed in air and water in large amounts.[9]
Dave and Beckett, 2005 reported in the past in India there have been nearly 673 small - scale asbestos mining
and milling facilities and 33 large - scale asbestos manufacturing plants, (17 AC product manufacturing
plants and 16 other than AC product plants). In India, about two to three million active workers are suffering
from exposure to asbestos and other dusts or fibres.[10] It is well reported that occupational exposure of
asbestos may cause simple inflammatory reactions, asbestosis, to bronchogenic carcinoma.[JI]
An environmental health survey was conducted in and around the surrounding area of asbestos-cement sheets
manufacturing industry to observe the occupational asbestos exposure burden. The monitoring and analysis
of the asbestos concentration and its type around the asbestos industries address many questions regarding
source, distribution and transport. Assessment of all these parameters in any occupational environment where
asbestos is present is thus relevant. [12] The information obtained on the levels of asbestos concentration and
its type in the occupational and ambient environment can be used to assess the asbestos fibre exposure and its
burden in the vicinity of the industry.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Go to:
Study design
Asbestos burden in and around the industry was assessed in AC sheets manufacturing industry, India. As per
the information provided by the industry staff; industry is a large - scale with production capacity of 36,000
metric tons per annum of asbestos - cement sheets and asbestos - based moulded goods. The ingredients used
are cement, fly - ash and chrysotile asbestos (imported from Russia) in quantity (Metric tons) 20,000, 12,000
and 4,000 per annum respectively. In this study a total of 71 subjects in asbestos exposed and 69 control
groups were appraised.
Manufacturing process
♦ The products are processed in wet mode technically known as “Hatschek Process”.
♦ Pressure packed impermeable polythene bags of chrysotile are opened by semi - automatic machine
through mechanical process and milled in Hydro Disintegrator (mill), transferred to a mixing tank via
close system. The binding material (cement and fly-ash) mixed with water to make slurry, which is fed to
the Cylinder Vat (a tank with a sieve cylinder covered by mesh cloth help to sieves the slurry) through the
Homogeniser Feeding Cone. Cylinder rotates leaving a thin film of stock deposited at its surface and film
was transferred on to endless felt, which remains in contact with the top cover of the sieve cylinder.
♦ Excess water was being removed from the felt by means of vacuum boxes placed under the felt as it travels
towards sheet formation drum in continuous operation until the sheet prepared to build up the desired
thickness. The sheets are then knifed along a groove in the sheet formation drum roll and peeled to a
moving rubber conveyor belt, which collect the sheet clear from the machine.
♦ In the sheet corrugation and demoulding section, the wet plain sheets are corrugated by means of template.
The corrugated wet sheets stacked on a trolley and allowed for initial maturity of 15-18 hours. After that
sheets demoulded i.e., stripped off from the templates. Finally at Curing Section, these sheets are stacked
vertically and water poured on them here, sheets covers 25-28 days to develop optimum strength before
being dispatched.
♦ Negative pressure in all these process equipments is maintained by induced draft fan. Discharge of the fan
were connected at air pollution control device i.e., counter current scrubber such that if the particulate
travels along with air (sucked for maintaining negative pressure) finally trapped by automized water
spray in the scrubber device.
Fibre monitoring, sampling devices and methodology
Asbestos sampling was done according to the standard procedure of Bureau of Indian Standard - 11450. Air
monitoring for asbestos was done by using a 25 mm diameter, ester cellulose filter (0.8-1.2 pm pore size) at
constant flow rate per liter per min. Sampler Model XX5700000 and Low Volume Vacuum/ Pressure Pump
Model XX 5600002 attached with filter holder (cowl) MAWP 025AC (Millipore Corporation, USA) were
used for the collection of air samples. In both the subjects, filter holders were kept in downward position
during sampling to avoid the contamination of heavy particles on fiIters.[ 13]
Sample transportation, preparation and analysis
The collected samples were stored in upward position with sealed boxes and transferred to the laboratory for
further analysis as per acetone triacitin technique.[14] The mounted samples were analyzed for the presence
of asbestos fibre at a magnification of 400x by using phase contrast and polarized light microscope. Asbestos
fibres (>5 pm length, < 3 pm in diameter and length to diameter ratio 3:1) were considered for counting and
scanned under the phase contrast microscope (LABROX, Germany).[I4J 5]
Clinical examination
Subjects working in asbestos industry (exposed) and subjects not exposed (control) to such environment have
been appraised with the scope of the study and consent was received from each of them. The care was taken
during the selection of subjects from asbestos exposed environment and subjects not exposed to such
environment (matching controls) are of same socio-economic status. Each subject was given to answer a
complete set of questionnaire based on the modified British Medical Research Council[16] to assess an
accurate medical history, habits, past and present occupation, duration of exposure along with medical
history (previous and present) and respiratory history. A history of cough, sputum production, wheezing and
chest pain, occupational history, domestic exposure, smoking, alcohol consumption and nutritional habits
were also recorded. Each subject was thoroughly examined by a medical staff having graduation in medical
science and special emphasis was given on respiratory system.
Pulmonary function test
Pulmonary function tests were performed by forced spirometry in a total of 64 exposed subjects out of total
71 subjects and 50 control subjects out of total 69 subjects using OHD - KoKo Spirometer, USA, following
the guidelines of American Thoracic Society.[17] Spirometry is a medical test that measures volume of the
air inhaled or exhaled by the subject at a function of time. The appropriate time for this test is recommended
between 10 - 12 noon, was followed for Spirometry. In this test, firstly the vital capacity (VC) was measured
followed by Force vital capacity (FVC); both the tests are measured in standing position.[L8] These tests
were performed at least three times and the best of the three was selected for the data analysis. Age, height
and weight of the subjects were recorded to predict the normal values of pulmonary function test.
Roentogenic studies
Chest X-ray (PA View) of 55 subjects was taken on 300 MA machine. A panel of three specialists (a
radiologist, a chest physician and a specialist in industrial medicine) studied each X-ray. While studying the
chest X-ray, occupational history and clinical findings were also taken into consideration. Diagnosis of each
subject was made after complete review of clinical history, occupational history, X-ray findings and clinical
examination following the criteria of International Labor Organization[J_9] especially for the piesence of (a)
I inear shadows of varying thickness, (b) Pleural thickening, (c) Pleural plaques, (d) Bilateral or unilateral
pleural calcification, (e) Honey combing, (f) Reticulo - nodular pattern and (g) Prominent broncho - vascular
marking.
Sputum analysis
Sputum samples were collected in clean sterilized bottles from the deep of the throat (preferably early
morning sample) of the suspected subjects for AFB analysis by Ziehl-Neelsen staining[20] and asbestos
bodies analysis following the standard methodology.[21]
Go to:
RESULTS
The concentrations of asbestos fibres (f/cc) at ingredient feeding site, sheet-producing site, fibre godown site
and factory gate were 0.079 ± 0.00, 0.057 ±0.01, 0.078 ± 0.01 and 0.071 ± 0.01, respectively [TableJ.]. All
the values were found less than the proposed Threshold Limit Value (0.1 f/cc). Fibres, analyzed by phase
contrast and polarized light microscopy, were found to be of chrysotile variety (white asbestos). Personal
characteristics of subjects such as age, height, weight, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, food habit,
domestic fuel exposure and family type are pooled in the TableJ.
Table 1
Concentration of asbestos fibre in the
occupational and ambient
environment
Table 2
Personal characteristics of asbestos
exposed and control subjects
The subjects exposed to asbestos (total years including previous) are sub-grouped depending upon their
occupational exposure [Table 3). Significantly higher number of asbestos-exposed subjects were in the sub
grouped of two to four years and minimum number in eight to 10 years and more than Ten years. The
observed morbidity pattern is mentioned in the table 4. The prevalence of hypertension in exposed subjects
was 16.9 per cent while in control 5.79 per cent. Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) levels were almost
10% in both the populations. The prevalence of musculo-skeletal morbidity was 7.04 per cent, among them
5.63 per cent due to pain in joints and 1.4 per cent from backache in exposed population. In controls no
subject has pain in joints while the prevalence ot backache and bodyache were 5.79 per cent and 5.79/o,
respectively. Hypertension was 16.90% and 5.79% in the exposed and unexposed populations, respectively.
Other morbidities listed in the 1 able 4 were also insignificantly higher in the exposed population.
Table 3
Number of subjects (N = 71) accordin
occupational exposure
l-x:..-,
Table 4
Morbidity pattern of study subjects
Lung function impairments were recorded 6.25 % of obstruction and 25% of restriction in asbestos-exposed
subjects against 8.62% of obstruction and 31.03% of restriction in control subjects which may be due to
higher smoking pattern in control subjects [Figure I], Out of total 71 asbestos-exposed subjects 55
cooperated for chest radiography and found them normal whereas no one cooperated for X-ray amongst
control. Out of 71 asbestos-exposed subjects only 32 subjects whereas 37 out of 69 control subjects
cooperated for sputum analysis for the presence of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) and asbestos body. Notably, all
were negative including exposed subjects.
'MI
DISCUSSION
Figure I
Pulmonary function impairment in
exposed and control subjects
Go to:
The asbestos fibre concentration was measured in the ambient environment of the AC industry because
asbestos mainly presents risk in airborne condition. It is well reported that exposure to asbestos caused
serious health effects on the population handling and or living near the sources.[22] In the asbestos
processing and handling, the fibres released and remain suspended in the ambient air for long period due to
small size and lightweight. The presence of the fibres in the ambient environment may be due to emissions of
asbestos fibres during improper handling and processing and also may be from transportation and waste
disposal. [23] In our study analysis of fibres under phase contrast and polarized light microscopy reported
chrysotile asbestos, which acts as carcinogen and co-carcinogen.[3,jj_]
In India, an estimated one-lakh people are exposed to asbestos at work place.[24] The processing for
manufacturing of Asbestos-based products increases the air pollution levels in the areas surrounded by the
asbestos - based industries[25,26] and health risk to the workers. Moreover, adverse health effects are
interrelated to dust exposure in workplace.[27] The people residing in the vicinity of the asbestos-based
industries may be exposed to higher levels of asbestos fibre concentration. [8]
The environmental profiles of asbestos was observed ranging from 0.057 to 0.079 f/cc including work zone
area. The lowest concentration (0.057 f/cc) was observed at sheet producing site and the evident reason
might be a complete wet process. This showed healthy industrial hygiene conditions, as the fibre levels are
well within the proposed Indian and International Standards (0.10 f/cc). Although exposure to low level of
asbestos for long term period can register bioaccumulation and biopersistance in the biological systems
including respiratory.[28]
The increasing risk of developing a variety of lung diseases in asbestos exposed workers is a major health
concern.[29] Epidemiological and experimental studies have proven that the presence of predisposing factors
such as cigarette smoke and bio-mass fuel exposure play an important role in biopersistence of asbestos
fibres in lung which resulted enhanced pulmonary inflammatory reactions that accelerate the asbestos
induced disease processes.[30,3 1 ] Occupational or environmental exposure of asbestos fibres mainly
concerns to lung diseases such as bronchogenic carci noma. [29]
The relatively higher respiratory problems of 10.14% were observed in control subjects as compared to
asbestos-exposed subjects of 9.85%, which might be due to their exposure at domestic level in indoor
environment. The lung function impairments were relatively higher in controls that might be due to higher
smoking habits and wood exposure at domestic level during the cooking in indoor environment. The
synergistic interaction of asbestos and unprocessed biomass fuels play an important role in asbestos-related
malignancies[32] and in our study as most of the workers were nonsmokers. Clinical studies suggested that
the use of cow dung and wood is associated with functional changes of airway function.[33]
'
Radiological examinations reveal no positive case in asbestos-exposed subjects. Radiological abnormalities
have already been well demonstrated in asbestos-exposed subjects.[34] Earlier studies also suggested that the
functional abnormalities resulting due to exposure of asbestos precede radiographic changes[T5] that appear
on the postero - anterior view of chest X-ray film. Reticulo-nodular infiltrates and presence of calcified
pleural plaques with increased bronchovascular markings are the suggestive feature of exposure to asbestos.
Sputum was also collected from the subjects to analyze the asbestos bodies and AFB. Asbestos bodies in
sputum samples are considered as hallmark of asbestos exposure.[37] No one was reported with positive
finding of asbestos bodies and AFB.
CONCLUSION
Go to:
I he industrial hygiene status of AC sheets manufacturing industry was in accordance with the National and
International Standards. The conclusion is derived from our observations on the environmental levels of
asbestos, appropriate pollution control engineering devices, less exposure period due to new establishment of
plant, absence of asbestos bodies in workers sputum and radiological negative chest data. Though,
pievalence of smoking in industrial workers was lower than the controls, there should be some mechanism
for gradual reduction to zero level as smoking accelerates the disease process induced by asbestos. Perhaps
incentive in some form, to nonsmoking workers may be a suitable option in this regard. Occupational
exposure to asbestos even of its levels within standard limit does not completely eliminate the risk of
isbestos-mediated diseases. Notably, it takes about 15-25 years after exposure for the development of
asbestosis and related malignancies. Asbestosis is an irreversible disease, which can further advance even
after the cessation of asbestos exposure.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Go to:
Authors are thankful to the Director, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow for his keen interest in
the study. Acknowledgements are also due to Mr. N. Mathur and Dr. C. Kesavachandaran for their kind help
particularly statistical analysis. Thanks are also due to the management of the factory for extending their
cooperation in this study. CPCB, New Delhi is acknowledged for financial support.
Footnotes
Go to;
Source of Support: Nil
Conflict of Interest: None declared.
REFERENCES
Go to:
1. Light WG, Wei ET. Surface charge and asbestos toxicity. Nature. 1977;265:537-9. [PubMed]
2. Ramanathan AL, Subramanian M. Present status of asbestos mining and related health problems in India a Survey. Ind Health. 2001;39:309-15. [PubMed]
3. Lemen RA. Chrysotile asbestos as a cause of mesothelioma: Application of the hill caution model. Int J
Occup Environ Health. 2004;10:233-9. [PubMed]
4. Dave SK, Beckett WS. Occupational asbestos exposure and predictable asbestos - related diseases in
India. Am Rev Respir Dis. 2005;48:137-43. [PubMed]
5. Kolkata, India: 2002. Institution of Public Health Engineers India: Asbestos, health and environment: An
In-Depth Study.
6. Tossavainen A. Global use of asbestos and the incidence of mesothelioma. Int J Environ
Health. 2004;10:22-5. [PubMed]
7. Allen LK. Asbestos and mesothelima: Worldwide trends. Lung Cancer. 2005;49:S3-8. [PubMed]
8. Environmental Health Criteria. Geneva, Switzerland: 1998. World Health Organization. Chrysotile
asbestos.
9. Spurney KR. Asbestos fibre release by corroded and weathered asbestos-cement products. I ARC Sci
Publ. 1989;90:367-71 .[PubMed]
10. Report of working group. Report of the working group on environmental and occupational health for the
tenth five-year plan.Submitted to the planning commission. Government of India. 2001
11. Mossman BT, Bignon J, Corn M, Seaton A, Gee JB. Asbestos: Scientific developments and implications
for public policy. Science. 1990;247:294-301. [PubMed]
12. Mukherjee AK, Rajmohan HR, Dave SK, Rajan BK, Kakde Y, Rao SR. An environmental survey in
chrysotile asbestos milling processes in India. Am J Ind Med. 1992;22:543-51. [PubMed]
13. Jaffrey SA, Burdett MT, Rood AP. An investigation of air borne asbestos concentrations in two U.K.
buildings: Before, during and after the removal of asbestos. Int J Environ Stud. 1988;32:169-80.
14. New Delhi: Indian Standard; 1986. Bureau of Indian Standards. Method for determination of air borne
asbestos fibres concentration in work environment by light microscopy (Membrane filter method) p. 11450.
15. Trivedi AK, Ahmad I, Musthapa MS, Ansari FA, Rahman Q. Environmental contamination of chrysotile
asbestos and its toxic effects on growth and physiological and biochemical parameters of Lemna gibba. Arch
Env Cont Tox. 2004;47:281 -9. [PubMed]
16. British Medical Research Council. British Standardized questionnaires on respiratory symptoms. Br Med
J (Clin Res) 1976;2:1965-8.
17. ATS statement-Snowbird workshop on standardization of spirometry. Am Rev Respir
Dis. 1979;119:831-8. [PubMed]
18. Wang XR, Yano Y, Wang M, Wang Z, Christian! DC. Pulmonary function in long-term asbestos workers
in China. J Occup Environ Med. 2001;43:623-9. [PubMcdl
19. Geneva: ILO (Occupational Safety and Health Series; 1980. International Labour Office. Guidelines for
the use of ILO international classification of radiographs of pneumoconioses; p. 80.
20. Microbiology Monica Chessbrough. 32,34. Zeil-Neelsen Staining Technique; 1982. Medical Laboratory
Manual for Tropical Countries. Vol II: Microbiology .
21. Williams MG, Dodson RF, Corn C, Hurst GA. A procedure for the isolation of amosite asbestos and
ferruginous bodies from lung tissue and sputum. J Toxicol Environ Health. 1982; 10:627-38.[PubMed]
22. Magnani C, Mollo F, Paoletti L, Bellis D, Bernardi P, Betta P, et al. Asbestos lung burden and asbestosis
after occupational and environmental exposure in an asbestos cement manufacturing area: A necropsy
study. Occup Environ Med. 1998;55:840-6. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
23. Ase P, Huff J, Huff L, Harwood CH. Chicago, III: 1976. In : Proceedings of the Fifth Mineral waste Utili
Symp; p. 80.
24. Joshi TK, Gupta RK. Asbestos - related morbidity in India. Int J Occup Env Health. 2003;9:24953. [PubMed]
25. Case BW, Sebastien P. Environmental and occupational exposure to chrysotile asbestos: A comparative
analytic study. Arch Environ Health. 1987;42:185-91. [PubMed]
26. Geneva: 1998. International Program on Chemical Safety. Environmental Health Criteria 2003,
Chrysotile Asbestos, World Health Organization and International Programme on Chemical Safety; p. 29.
27. Love RG, Smith TA, Gurr D, Sontar CA, Scarisbrick DA, Seaton A, et al. Respiratory and allergic
symptoms in wool textile workers. Br J Ind Med. 1988;45:727-41. [PMC free article][PubMed]
28. Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Atlanta, GA USA: NTIS
Accessories No. PB/2001 /109/01; 2001. Agency For Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
Toxicological profile for asbestos. Update (Final Report) p. 146.
29. Mossman BT, Kamp DW, Weitzman SA. Mechanisms of carcinogenesis and clinical features of asbestosassociated cancers. Cancer Invest. 1996;14:466-80. [PubMed]
30* Arif JM. Khan SG, Ahmad A, Joshi LD, Rahman Q. Effect
mediated toxicity to the rat alveolar macrophages. Environ Res. 1997,72.15
Chl7S°tile'
. [---------- ]
31 Lohani M Dopp E, Weiss DG, Schiffmann D, Rahman Q. Kerosene soot induces genotoxicity and
enhances the effect on co-exposure with chrysotile asbestos in Syrian Hamster Embryo Fibioblast. Toxi
Let. 2000;114:111-6. [PubMed]
32. Arif JM, Khan SG, Aslam M, Mahmood M, Rahman Q. Diminution in
drag metabolizing enzymes by asbestos in rat lungs. Pharmacol Toxicol. 1992,71.37 40. [PubMed]
°f
33. Behera D, Jindal SK. Respiratory symptoms in Indian Women using domestic cooking
fuels. Chest. 1991;100:385-8. [PubMed]
34. Dave SK, Bhagia LJ, Mazumdar PK, Patel GC, Kulkarni PK, Kashyap. SK. The ^araon of chest
radiograph and pulmonary function tests in asbestos mines and millers. Indian J Chest Dis Allie
Sci. 1996;38:81-9. [PubMed]
x; Respiratory symptoms
/ 3 across shift lung functions
35. Fishwick D, Bradshaw LM, Slater T, Pearce N.
New Zeafand. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1997;23:351
changes and life time exposures ol welders in 1 --- ---------8. [PubMed]
36. Manning CB, Vallyathan V, Mossman BT. Diseases caused by asbestos: Mechanisms of injury and
disease development. Rev Int Immunopharmacol. 2002;2:191-200. [PubMed]
37 Davies JC Kielkowski D, Phillips JI, Govuzela M, Solomon A, Makofane MR, et al. Asbestos in
sputum, crackles in the lung and radiological changes in women exposed to asbestos. Int J Occup Enviro
Health. 2004;10:220-5. [.PubMed]
World rings asbestos alarm, India ignorant about
cancer-causing agent
By Vishwa Mohan, Amin AH, TNN | Updated: Jul 24. 2016, 09.21 AM 1ST
0
NEW
Comments
DELHI: Even as environmental protection
agencies across the world are pushing for a
complete ban on usage of asbestos in auto parts that put
millions of auto technicians, repair mechanics and
commuters at risk of contracting fatal diseases, India's
environment ministry has claimed to be unaware of the
problem in absence of any specific study on the issue.
There is no restriction on use of asbestos in auto
components in India.
Though the ministry has general guidelines in place since
2010 for carrying out environmental impact assessment of
the asbestos-based industries, it mainly talks about emission
limit and ways of disposal of asbestos waste by the user
agencies.
While most auto companies adhere to strict guidelines to meet emission norms of their export vehicles, the
same variants in India are fitted with asbestos parts. The after-sales auto component market specially brakes,
clutches and brake linings are full of asbestos products and their handling and disposal puts technicians and
commuters at risk.
"The ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC) has no information on use of asbestos
in auto components such as brake, clutches and heat seals", Bishwanath Sinha, joint secretary in the ministry
, toldTOI.
Asked why should this practice continue in India , Sinha said, "There are no peer reviewed study reports on
the subject commissioned by concerned administrative ministry or its subordinate organisation, in the
government ol India, based on which a tangible course of action may be taken on merit".
1 he joint secretary . therefore, noted that the question of banning usage of asbestos in auto products in India
did not arise in absence of such scientific study .
Reverse typc-2 diabetes silling in the
Help Save Rupesh From Brain
Haeniorrhagc!
Fit Mom Daily
Milaap
\ A - comlort of your home.
Recommended By Colombia
Various studies in the past had highlighted that mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer, is caused due to
asbestos exposure and therefore many countries had subsequently taken steps to ban its use.
The US is implementing a new chemical safety act that is meant for tackling everyday carcinogens such as
asbestos while the EU outlawed usage of asbestos products. New Zealand too has banned asbestos products.
Incidentally, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in India had spoken about hazards of asbestos use
in its report in 2008. Its observation got a mention in the environment ministry's environmental impact
assessment (EIA) guidance manual on asbestos based industries in 2010. But, it does not appear to get a
traction beyond controlling emission limits in organised industries.
Asked how does the ministry monitor the use of asbestos in the country, Sinha said, "Implementation of
emission limits of asbestos fibres from the stack, notified under the provisions of the Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986, for industries uses asbestos is carried out by the concerned State Pollution Control
Boards".
The 2010 EIA guidance manual on asbestos based industries, prepared by the Hyderabad-based
Administrative Staff College of India, noted that though the asbestos-cement industry (sheets, pipes etc.) is
by far the largest user of asbestos fibre worldwide accounting for about 95% of all uses, asbestos is also
incorporated into friction materials like brake linings, clutch pads and similar products.
(This article was originally published in The Times of India)
- Media
RF_E_15_SUDHA.pdf
Position: 175 (19 views)