ASBESTOS VICTIMS ORGANIZATIONS
AUSTRALIA
Robert Vojakovic
Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia
PO Box 1394
Osborne Park WA 6916
Australia
Tel: 0061 893 444 077
Fax: 00 61 893 450 422
Email: adsinc@iinet.net.au
Web: http://www.asbestosdiseases.org.au/
Asbestos Diseases Society of Victoria
Street Address: Suite 3/ Level 1 200 Lygon Street
Carlton VIC 3053
Postal Address: PO BOX 416
Carlton South VIC 3053
Tel:(03) 9639 4464 and (03) 9639 4451
International callers: +61 3 9639 4464 and +61 3 9639 4451
Fax: (03) 9639 4462
International faxes: +61 3 9639 4462
Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia Inc.
Suite 3, Ground Floor
133-137 Parramatta Road
Granville NSW 2142
Australia
Tel: 0061 2 9637 8759
Fax: 0061 2 9897 3259
Email: asbestos@optusnet.com.au
Web: http://www.adfa.org.au
Gippsland Asbestos Related Diseases Support Inc.(GARDS)
Village Community Centre
1 Ollerton Avenue
Moe, Victoria, Australia 3825
Tel/Fax: (03) 5127 7744
Postal address:
PO Box 111
Moe
Victoria, Australia 3825
Email: gards@datafast.net.au
Web: http://www.gards.org
Shirley White
Queensland Asbestos Related Diseases Support Society Inc.
7 Garrett Street
Murarrie, 4172
Tel: (07) 3390 4997
Fax: (07) 3348 8373
Email: RegWhite@uqconnect.net
Web: http://www.asbestos-disease.com.au
BRAZIL
ABREA
c/o Fernanda Giannasi
Email: giannasi@telnet.com.br
Eliezer Jo�o de Souza
Associa��o Brasileira dos Expostos ao Amianto - ABREA (Brazilian Association of Asbestos Victims)
Av. Santo Ant�nio, 683 - Jardim Alvorada
CEP: 06086-070 - Osasco - S�o Paulo - Brasil
Tel/Fax: (55 11) 3681-2710
Email: abrea@telnet.com.br or abrea@abrea.com.br
Web: http://www.abrea.com.br
Ivitalino dos Santos
Associa��o Bahiana dos Expostos ao Amianto - ABEA (Bahia Association of Asbestos Victims)
Via Universit�ria, Conjunto Habitacional Vida Nova, s/n, Quadra 08, CIA I
CEP: 43700-000-Sim�es Filho-Bahia-Brasil
Tel: (071)396-1888
Fax:(071)396-1339
Central Telef�nica: (071)396-7284
Email: promotoria.simoesfilho@mp.ba.gov.br
or fundacaocre@uol.com.br
Web: http://www.abrea.com.br
Ruth Nascimento
Associa��o Brasileira dos Expostos ao Amianto do Rio de Janeiro-ABREA/RJ
(Brazilian Association of Asbestos Victims)
Largo dos Le�es, 101/802 - Humait�
CEP: 22260-210-Rio de Janeiro - RJ-Brasil
Tel: (021)2598-2822
Fax: (021)270-3219
Email: cyro@ensp.fiocruz.br
Web: http://www.abrea.com.br
Deputado Zilton Rocha
Associa��o dos Expostos ao Amianto de Po��es
(Association of Asbestos Victims from Po��es)
A/C Vanja Brito
Rua Clinio de Jesus 136/101- Barbalho
CEP: 40030-390- Salvador - Bahia-Brasil
Email: cvanja@terra.com.br or ziltonrocha@alba.ba.gov.br
or zilton.rocha@uol.com.br
ENGLAND
Paula Walker
Sheffield and Rotherham Asbestos Group
Unit 311 Aizlewood's Mill
Nursery Street, Sheffield S38 GG
Tel: 0114 282 3212
Fax: 0114 2823 151
Email: sarag@aizlewoodsmill.co.uk
[Rotherham Branch]
Contact: Mick Firth
Room 9, Imperial Buildings, Corporation Street
Rotherham S60 1PE
Tel: 01709 513 587
John Flanagan
Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group
Suite 32, 2nd Floor
Oriel Chambers
Water Street
Liverpool L2 8UQ
England
Tel: 0151 236 1895
Fax: 0151 236 1895
Email: gfr15@dial.pipex.com
Web: http://www.asbestosdiseases.org.uk
Carol Duerden
Bradford Asbestos Victims Support Group
UNISON Offices, 2nd Floor, Auburn House
Upper Piccadilly, Bradford, BD1 3NU
Tel: 01274 393949
Fax: 01274 393949
Email: hazards@what-bohp.freeserve.co.uk
Eileen Coffey
Cheshire Asbestos Victims Support Group
3 Fryer Street, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 1ND
Tel: 01928 576641
Fax: 01928 576649
Email: cavsg@btconnect.com
Joanne Carlin
Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team
C/o TRUST, 70 Saltergate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 IJR
Tel: 01246 231441
Fax: 01246 551529
Email: mail@safetyteam.u-net.com
Tony Whitston
Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group (GMAVSG)
Windrush Millennium Centre
70 Alexandra Road
Moss Side
Manchester M16 7WD
Tel: 0161 636 7555
Fax: 0161 636 7556
Email: asbestos.gmavsg@virgin.net
Web: http://www.asbestos-victims-support.org
Hampshire Asbestos Support & Awareness Group (HASAG)
13 Wychwood Grove
Chandlers Ford
Eastleigh
Hampshire, SO53 1FQ
The group is currently (Jul 2007) holding meetings in Southampton (T&G offices at 15/16 The Avenue) on the second Thursday of each month and in Portsmouth on the fourth Thursday of each month. For details of the next meeting, please contact: Diane McLellan 07792 543426 or Lynne Squibb 07940 328637.
Tel: 07792 543426 & 07940 328637
Email: diane@hasag.co.uk or lynne@hasag.co.uk
Web: http://www.hasag.co.uk
Frank Gray
Northeast Asbestos Support & Awareness Group
Trade Union Centre
119/121 Marton Road, Middlesborough, TS1 2DU
Tel: 01642 240044
Email: information@nasag.org.uk
Web: http://www.nasag.org.uk
Tom Carden
Ridings Asbestos Support & Awareness Group
50B Armley Town Street, Leeds, LS12 3AA
Tel: 0113 231 1010
Email: information@asbestos-action.org.uk
Web: http://www.asbestos-action.org.uk
Barrow Asbestos-Related Disease Support
Supported by:
St Mary's Hospice, Ford Park, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 7JP
Tel: 01229 580305
Fax: 01229 583072
Email: stmarys.ulverston@virgin.net
Web: http://www.stmaryshospice.org
B.A.R.D.S. meet one day a month in Lesser Kings Hall, Hartlington Street, Barrow in Furness - phone for details.
FRANCE
Patrick Herman
BAN ASBESTOS
Algues
12230 NANT
France
ANDEVA (Association Nationale de Defense des Victimes de l�Amiante)
22, rue des Vignerons 94686 Vincennes
France
Tel: 01 41 93 73 87
Fax: 01 41 93 70 06
Email: andeva@infonie.fr
Web: http://andeva.free.fr
JAPAN
Jun'ichi Nukushina
Japan Citizen's Network for Wiping Out Asbestos
Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences
University of Tokyo
1-1-1 Yayoicho
Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113
Japan
Sugio Furuya
BANJAN: Ban Asbestos Network Japan
5th floor, Z Building, 7-10-1 Kameido
Koto-ku, Tokyo, 136-0071
Japan
Tel: +81-3-3636-3882
Fax: +81-3-3636-3881
Email: banjan@au.wakwak.com
Web: http://park3.wakwak.com/~banjan/
NEW ZEALAND
Ed Grootegoed and Lois Syret
Asbestos Diseases Association of New Zealand
PO Box 20 035
Glen Eden Auckland
New Zealand
NORTHERN IRELAND
Fiona Sterritt (Company Secretary)
Justice for Asbestos Victims (JAV)
523 Antrim Road, Belfast, BT15 3BS
Tel: 028 90783923
Email: jav_ire@hotmail.com
SCOTLAND
Phyllis Craig/ Harry McCluskey
CAA (Clydeside Action on Asbestos)
245 High Street
Glasgow, Scotland G40QR
Tel: 0141 552 8852
Clydebank Asbestos Group
8 Crown Avenue
Clydebank
Scotland G81 3BW
Tel: 0141 951 1008
Fax: 0141 562 0045
Email: clydebankasbestos@ntlbusiness.com
Web: www.clydebankasbestos.org
SWITZERLAND
Verein f�r Asbestopfer und Angeh�rige
(Society for Asbestos Victims and Relatives)
Unterm�li 6
Postfach 2555
CH-6302 Zug
Tel: 041 766 47 77
Fax: 041 766 47 78
Email: sekretariat@asbestopfer.ch
Pierrette Iselin
Caova, comit� d'orientation et de d�fense des victimes de l'amiante
Girarde 15
1066 Epalinges
Tel: 00 41 79 732 96 36
Email: iselin@worldcom.ch or
info@caova.ch
Web: http://www.caova.ch
USA
Heather Bechtel
Asbestos Victims of America (AVA)
PO Box 66594
Scotts Valley, CA 95067
USA
Email: heather@surfnetusa.com
Linda Reinstein (Executive Director and Cofounder)
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
1525 Aviation Boulevard Suite 318
Redondo Beach, California 90278
Tel: (310) 437-3886
Email: Linda@AsbestosDiseaseAwareness.org or info@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org
Web: http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org
James Fite
White Lung Association
P.O.Box 1483
Baltimore, Maryland 21203-1483
USA
Tel: +1 410 243 5864
Email: jfite@whitelung.org
Web: http://www.whitelung.org
Gayla Benefield
Libby Asbestos Victim's Support
245 Cedar Meadows Rd
Libby, MT 59923
USA
Tel: (406) 293-5535
WALES
Ann Howells
Asbestos Awareness Wales / UK
10 Osborne Terrace
Nantymoel
Bridgend CF32 7NP
Helpline Tel: 07775 815705 9am-9pm
Email: ABaylissHowells@aol.com
Web: http://www.asbestosawarenesswales.org.uk/home.php
Source:http://www.btinternet.com/~ibas/lka_gp_list.htm
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Asbestos tied to lung cancer: Health Canada report
Note: A document "Canada, Chrysotile and Cancer: Health Canada’s Asbestos International Expert Panel Report" published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, December, 2008. In the editorial of the journal, Dr. Leslie Stayner, one of the scientific experts appointed in early 2008 to the Health Canada panel on chrysotile asbestos, whose report the government did not release, says:“What should be truly embarrassing to the Canadian government and people is their position that exposure to chrysotile asbestos is safe and that there is no need to warn the developing countries that it exports to, about the hazards associated with its use. There is simply no scientific evidence to support this position. The banning of asbestos is the only means for preventing a tragic repeat of the epidemic of asbestos related diseases that is still occurring in the U.S. and Europe in the developing countries that are currently importing and using chrysotile asbestos from Canada and other countries."
Health Canada, the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for national public health but its ongoing support of the export of chrysotile asbestos has sullied Canada's global reputation. Canada's role in promoting the use of chrysotile in poorer nations like India, Pakistan and Vietnam is reprehensible.
The current Health MInister is Leona Aglukkag, a Conservative Member of Parliament appointed by Stephen Harper, Prime MInister, Canada who is funding the Chrysotile Institute although it is endangering public health by disseminating misleading and untruthful information about chrysotile asbestos, especially in the world’s emerging economies like India is quite contrary to that from leading scientific institutions - such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) regarding the health risks of chrysotile asbestos. These institutions, as well as the overwhelming worldwide scientific consensus, have called for chrysotile asbestos to be banned. The Asbestos Institute (re-named the Chrysotile Institute in 2004) is funded by the Canadian government, the Quebec government and the asbestos industry. The Economic Development Agency of Canada and the Department of Natural Resources have given the Chrysotile Institute more than $20 million over the past 25 years. In February 2008, Canadian government announced another grant of $750,000 to the Chrysotile Institute for the next three years. Canadian Medical Association Journal has asked the Canadian government to stop this funding.
Gopal Krishna
Asbestos tied to lung cancer: report
By Sarah Schmidt, Canwest News Service
April 16, 2009
Health Canada sat for more than a year on a report by a panel of international experts that concludes there is a "strong relationship" between lung cancer and chrysotile asbestos mined in Canada.
Health Canada received the report in March 2008, resisting calls from the panel chairman to release the findings despite his plea last fall that the delay was "an annoying piece of needless government secrecy."
Canwest News Service obtained the report under Access to Information legislation, but the request took more than 10 months to process.
While the panel found the relationship between chrysotile asbestos and the rare form of cancer mesothelioma "much less certain," there is a "strong relationship of exposure with lung cancer," panel chairman Trevor Ogden wrote in the newly released introductory letter to the report.
Ogden, editor-in-chief of The Annals of Occupational Hygiene and based in Britain, also noted the panel was comprised of members "who in the past have expressed strongly opposed views on this subject." They included industry consultant David Bernstein, previously retained by asbestos producer Union Carbide Corp. and Canadian and California asbestos mining companies.
In an interview, panellist Leslie Stayner, director of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Illinois School of Public Health, said while the panel agreed the link between exposure to amphibole asbestos -- another form of the mineral -- and mesothelioma was stronger than chrysotile asbestos, the experts couldn't agree about the actual degree of that difference.
"The most important thing is what it doesn't say, which is some people have alleged it would say. What it doesn't say is that exposure to chrysotile asbestos is safe," said Stayner.
"I think the bottom line here is that all forms of asbestos cause both mesothelioma and lung cancer. We will probably for many years still be debating this question of relative hazard of chrysotile. The fundamental question of whether it's hazardous or not is clear. I think the answer to that is, yes, chrysotile is a hazardous substance."
The release of the report has reignited the debate about the future of the asbestos industry in Canada, a particularly divisive issue in Quebec, where the industry is concentrated.
Pat Martin, the New Democrat MP who has long championed a ban of asbestos exports, said the conclusions of the expert panel should propel government to take action.
"It makes our case. The reality is we're at a tipping point. The jig is up for the asbestos industry," said Martin, who worked in a Yukon asbestos mine as a young man without being warned of the health risks.
Successive Liberal and Conservative governments have held firm on a "safe use" policy. Health advocates have long chastised this position as politically expedient to accommodate a Quebec constituency rather than a decision based on sound science.
The panel was not asked to make a finding on the "safe use" principle. Stayner gave a personal assessment of the science, saying the concept is a misleading one.
"My opinion, really, is safe use is a canard. We can't really believe that shipping these asbestos fibres to countries like India, that they're going to somehow magically use chrysotile in a way that is safer than we have in the West."
Health Canada announced late Wednesday that members of the public can contact the department to receive a copy of the report, but that there is no roll-out planned. A spokesman chalked up the delay to Health Canada taking the "time necessary to carefully review the findings of the report, and to consult other federal and provincial partners."
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post
http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=31bdf317-2468-4075-8909-205f4bd08f9c
Health Canada, the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for national public health but its ongoing support of the export of chrysotile asbestos has sullied Canada's global reputation. Canada's role in promoting the use of chrysotile in poorer nations like India, Pakistan and Vietnam is reprehensible.
The current Health MInister is Leona Aglukkag, a Conservative Member of Parliament appointed by Stephen Harper, Prime MInister, Canada who is funding the Chrysotile Institute although it is endangering public health by disseminating misleading and untruthful information about chrysotile asbestos, especially in the world’s emerging economies like India is quite contrary to that from leading scientific institutions - such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) regarding the health risks of chrysotile asbestos. These institutions, as well as the overwhelming worldwide scientific consensus, have called for chrysotile asbestos to be banned. The Asbestos Institute (re-named the Chrysotile Institute in 2004) is funded by the Canadian government, the Quebec government and the asbestos industry. The Economic Development Agency of Canada and the Department of Natural Resources have given the Chrysotile Institute more than $20 million over the past 25 years. In February 2008, Canadian government announced another grant of $750,000 to the Chrysotile Institute for the next three years. Canadian Medical Association Journal has asked the Canadian government to stop this funding.
Gopal Krishna
Asbestos tied to lung cancer: report
By Sarah Schmidt, Canwest News Service
April 16, 2009
Health Canada sat for more than a year on a report by a panel of international experts that concludes there is a "strong relationship" between lung cancer and chrysotile asbestos mined in Canada.
Health Canada received the report in March 2008, resisting calls from the panel chairman to release the findings despite his plea last fall that the delay was "an annoying piece of needless government secrecy."
Canwest News Service obtained the report under Access to Information legislation, but the request took more than 10 months to process.
While the panel found the relationship between chrysotile asbestos and the rare form of cancer mesothelioma "much less certain," there is a "strong relationship of exposure with lung cancer," panel chairman Trevor Ogden wrote in the newly released introductory letter to the report.
Ogden, editor-in-chief of The Annals of Occupational Hygiene and based in Britain, also noted the panel was comprised of members "who in the past have expressed strongly opposed views on this subject." They included industry consultant David Bernstein, previously retained by asbestos producer Union Carbide Corp. and Canadian and California asbestos mining companies.
In an interview, panellist Leslie Stayner, director of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Illinois School of Public Health, said while the panel agreed the link between exposure to amphibole asbestos -- another form of the mineral -- and mesothelioma was stronger than chrysotile asbestos, the experts couldn't agree about the actual degree of that difference.
"The most important thing is what it doesn't say, which is some people have alleged it would say. What it doesn't say is that exposure to chrysotile asbestos is safe," said Stayner.
"I think the bottom line here is that all forms of asbestos cause both mesothelioma and lung cancer. We will probably for many years still be debating this question of relative hazard of chrysotile. The fundamental question of whether it's hazardous or not is clear. I think the answer to that is, yes, chrysotile is a hazardous substance."
The release of the report has reignited the debate about the future of the asbestos industry in Canada, a particularly divisive issue in Quebec, where the industry is concentrated.
Pat Martin, the New Democrat MP who has long championed a ban of asbestos exports, said the conclusions of the expert panel should propel government to take action.
"It makes our case. The reality is we're at a tipping point. The jig is up for the asbestos industry," said Martin, who worked in a Yukon asbestos mine as a young man without being warned of the health risks.
Successive Liberal and Conservative governments have held firm on a "safe use" policy. Health advocates have long chastised this position as politically expedient to accommodate a Quebec constituency rather than a decision based on sound science.
The panel was not asked to make a finding on the "safe use" principle. Stayner gave a personal assessment of the science, saying the concept is a misleading one.
"My opinion, really, is safe use is a canard. We can't really believe that shipping these asbestos fibres to countries like India, that they're going to somehow magically use chrysotile in a way that is safer than we have in the West."
Health Canada announced late Wednesday that members of the public can contact the department to receive a copy of the report, but that there is no roll-out planned. A spokesman chalked up the delay to Health Canada taking the "time necessary to carefully review the findings of the report, and to consult other federal and provincial partners."
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post
http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=31bdf317-2468-4075-8909-205f4bd08f9c
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Canadian Opposition Leader seeks end of asbestos trade
Michael Ignatieff is the Leader of the Official Opposition in Canada's minority Parliament. He is leader of the Liberal Party (the Party which is the usual governing Party of Canada, which has always been an aggressive supporter of the Quebec asbestos industry and whose former leader, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, phoned the President of Chile to put pressure on him to stop Chile from banning asbestos and who took the case to the WTO, arguing that a ban on chrysotile asbestos would violate WTO trade rules. To date, they have resisted all pressure to change their position on asbestos by refusing to answer any questions on asbestos.
Michael Ignatieff addressed an overflow town-hall meeting in British Columbia on March 28, 2009. The Raging Grannies sang the attached song outside the meeting and handed out your letter of appeal to Canadians from the people in India.
One Christine Andersonn was able to ask the last question to Ignatieff and got a leader of the Liberal Party to call for an end of Canada's asbestos export. The asbestos lobby will be putting immense pressure on Ignatieff to recant.
At a Liberal town hall meeting, six grannies made their presence known beforehand with our banner stating: "Asbestos Kills. End All Exportation Now". They sang two asbestos songs loudly and repetitively and handed out fifty copies of the Indian appeal to Canadians.
Christine Anderson asked, "You spoke eloquently a few minutes ago, Mr. Ignatieff, of our responsibilities as citizens of the world. My question is about asbestos. Although millions of taxpayers' dollars are being spent removing asbestos from the parliament buildings, millions more have been spent over 25 years funding the Chrysotile Institute of Canada to export chrysotile asbestos to developing countries. Do you, Sir, support an end to Canada's exporting asbestos, as is demanded by the World Health Organization and the Canadian Cancer Society, and many other organizations?"
He replied: "I may be stepping off a cliff with this one but if asbestos is so bad that we are removing it from parliament, it must be bad for other countries. This has to end. Thank you for your question."
Michael Ignatieff addressed an overflow town-hall meeting in British Columbia on March 28, 2009. The Raging Grannies sang the attached song outside the meeting and handed out your letter of appeal to Canadians from the people in India.
One Christine Andersonn was able to ask the last question to Ignatieff and got a leader of the Liberal Party to call for an end of Canada's asbestos export. The asbestos lobby will be putting immense pressure on Ignatieff to recant.
At a Liberal town hall meeting, six grannies made their presence known beforehand with our banner stating: "Asbestos Kills. End All Exportation Now". They sang two asbestos songs loudly and repetitively and handed out fifty copies of the Indian appeal to Canadians.
Christine Anderson asked, "You spoke eloquently a few minutes ago, Mr. Ignatieff, of our responsibilities as citizens of the world. My question is about asbestos. Although millions of taxpayers' dollars are being spent removing asbestos from the parliament buildings, millions more have been spent over 25 years funding the Chrysotile Institute of Canada to export chrysotile asbestos to developing countries. Do you, Sir, support an end to Canada's exporting asbestos, as is demanded by the World Health Organization and the Canadian Cancer Society, and many other organizations?"
He replied: "I may be stepping off a cliff with this one but if asbestos is so bad that we are removing it from parliament, it must be bad for other countries. This has to end. Thank you for your question."
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Round Table on Shipbreaking & Asbestos Industry
Round Table on occupational and environmental health in the shipbreaking and asbestos industry in the emerging national and international scenario.
The Round Table is on 25 March from 10 AM -5 PM at Indian Social Institute, New Delhi.
It will begin with the famous documentary "IRONEATERS".
In the first half the Round Table would take stock of the occupational and environmental health aspects in the proposed UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) international treaty on ship breaking, Indian Comprehensive Code on Shipbreaking and the recent order of the Bangladesh High Court and their implications for India. It will also deliberate on the workers strike in Alang that has just started.
In the second half the Round Table would deliberate on the alarming rate of increase in the consumption of asbestos products, recent Kerala Human Right Commission’s order on Asbestos, a new asbestos document by Union Ministry of Environment Forests and Asbestos liabilities of U.S. based company Asarco (formerly known as American Smelting and Refining Company) which is being bought over by London-listed Vedanta Group subsidiary Sterlite Industries wherein the agreement between Sterlite Industries and Asarco involves Sterlite Industries assuming operating liabilities, but not legacy liabilities for asbestos and environmental claims for ceased operations. Earlier, Asarco had filed for bankruptcy protection in 2005 after it was sued for $1 billion over environmental clean-up and asbestos claims. Unlike in Indian asbestos companies who are enjoying manifest immoral and unpardonable political patronage even U.S based Dow Chemicals Company has set aside $2.2 billion to address future asbestos-related liabilities arising out of its acquisition of the Union Carbide Company. It will dwell on asbestos and corporate accountability issue in the shipping industry as well.
For Details:
Gopal Krishna
Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI)
Indian Platform on Shipbreaking
New Delhi
Mb: 9818089660
E-mail:krishnagreen@gmail.com
The Round Table is on 25 March from 10 AM -5 PM at Indian Social Institute, New Delhi.
It will begin with the famous documentary "IRONEATERS".
In the first half the Round Table would take stock of the occupational and environmental health aspects in the proposed UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) international treaty on ship breaking, Indian Comprehensive Code on Shipbreaking and the recent order of the Bangladesh High Court and their implications for India. It will also deliberate on the workers strike in Alang that has just started.
In the second half the Round Table would deliberate on the alarming rate of increase in the consumption of asbestos products, recent Kerala Human Right Commission’s order on Asbestos, a new asbestos document by Union Ministry of Environment Forests and Asbestos liabilities of U.S. based company Asarco (formerly known as American Smelting and Refining Company) which is being bought over by London-listed Vedanta Group subsidiary Sterlite Industries wherein the agreement between Sterlite Industries and Asarco involves Sterlite Industries assuming operating liabilities, but not legacy liabilities for asbestos and environmental claims for ceased operations. Earlier, Asarco had filed for bankruptcy protection in 2005 after it was sued for $1 billion over environmental clean-up and asbestos claims. Unlike in Indian asbestos companies who are enjoying manifest immoral and unpardonable political patronage even U.S based Dow Chemicals Company has set aside $2.2 billion to address future asbestos-related liabilities arising out of its acquisition of the Union Carbide Company. It will dwell on asbestos and corporate accountability issue in the shipping industry as well.
For Details:
Gopal Krishna
Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI)
Indian Platform on Shipbreaking
New Delhi
Mb: 9818089660
E-mail:krishnagreen@gmail.com
Friday, March 20, 2009
Rajasthan continues to mine killer asbestos fiber
Mining causes havoc in Rajasthan: Report
UDAIPUR: Unregulated mining and rampant illegal mining in Rajasthan has systematically destroyed forests, devastated the Aravallis, and played havoc with the water resources of the state.
Atleast that is what the sixth state of India's environment report "Rich Lands, Poor People Is sustainable mining possible?" prepared by the Centre for Science and Environment says.
The report was recently released in Udaipur at a function co-organised by the Jodhpur-based Mine Labour Protection Campaign (MLPC), a public dialogue followed the release to discuss issues related to mining in the state.
With the industry ready to pounce on mining leases in schedule-V areas banned for the last nine years and opened by the previous Vasundhara Raje Scindia government in 2008 it is only a matter of time before the current government gives into pressure from industry and lure of the money, fears the report.
According to this extensive, 350-page report the state government has failed to regulate illegal mining in forest areas. Udaipur, the most forested district of Rajasthan is also the most mined. The government has issued leases for hundreds of mines in Sariska National Park despite repeated Supreme Court orders to close them down. This has had a devastating impact on the forest cover of the state.
As per the data provided in the report, Rajasthan holds reserves for 44 major and 22 minor minerals and is the only producer of garnet, jasper, selenite, wollastonite and zinc concentrates. It is also the leading producer of calcite, lead concentrate, ball clay, fireclay, ochre, phosphorite, silver and steatite. But it is best known for its production of marble, sandstone, marble and other stones. It produces 10% of the world's and 70% of India's output of sandstone. Ajmer, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Dungarpur, Jaipur, Pali, Rajsamand, and Udaipur are its main mining districts.
Report says that illegal mines have no mechanism in place to implement environmental protection measures. For instance, sandstone quarries may be as small as 200 x 100 feet and employ as few as five to eight people who make Rs 30-50 per day (for men) or Rs 15-30 per day (for women). "Because these mines operate beyond the law, workers' rights are not recognised. Basic facilities such as toilets and water do not exist, nor do safety procedures or compensation for accidents," says the report. In Makrana mines, there is an average of one death a day. According to the MLPC, there are three deaths every day from work-related illnesses like silicosis and tuberculosis.
Further, Rajasthan continues to dabble with asbestos despite a worldwide ban on the mineral. Rajasthan, which has 54% of India's asbestos resources, still has five to six operational mines. According to the World Health Organisation, all forms of asbestos causes cancer, with chrysotile asbestos increasing the risk to cancer. This is a major health risk for workers, especially since these illegal mines do not provide safety equipment or compensation in case of accidents or deaths.
The report has expressed great concern that extensive mining of sandstone, marble and other minerals has converted the Aravalis into a rocky wasteland. Despite Supreme Court orders and threats since 1996, mining has continued unabated in the Aravallis.
10 Mar 2009, Trilok Sharma,
TNN
UDAIPUR: Unregulated mining and rampant illegal mining in Rajasthan has systematically destroyed forests, devastated the Aravallis, and played havoc with the water resources of the state.
Atleast that is what the sixth state of India's environment report "Rich Lands, Poor People Is sustainable mining possible?" prepared by the Centre for Science and Environment says.
The report was recently released in Udaipur at a function co-organised by the Jodhpur-based Mine Labour Protection Campaign (MLPC), a public dialogue followed the release to discuss issues related to mining in the state.
With the industry ready to pounce on mining leases in schedule-V areas banned for the last nine years and opened by the previous Vasundhara Raje Scindia government in 2008 it is only a matter of time before the current government gives into pressure from industry and lure of the money, fears the report.
According to this extensive, 350-page report the state government has failed to regulate illegal mining in forest areas. Udaipur, the most forested district of Rajasthan is also the most mined. The government has issued leases for hundreds of mines in Sariska National Park despite repeated Supreme Court orders to close them down. This has had a devastating impact on the forest cover of the state.
As per the data provided in the report, Rajasthan holds reserves for 44 major and 22 minor minerals and is the only producer of garnet, jasper, selenite, wollastonite and zinc concentrates. It is also the leading producer of calcite, lead concentrate, ball clay, fireclay, ochre, phosphorite, silver and steatite. But it is best known for its production of marble, sandstone, marble and other stones. It produces 10% of the world's and 70% of India's output of sandstone. Ajmer, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Dungarpur, Jaipur, Pali, Rajsamand, and Udaipur are its main mining districts.
Report says that illegal mines have no mechanism in place to implement environmental protection measures. For instance, sandstone quarries may be as small as 200 x 100 feet and employ as few as five to eight people who make Rs 30-50 per day (for men) or Rs 15-30 per day (for women). "Because these mines operate beyond the law, workers' rights are not recognised. Basic facilities such as toilets and water do not exist, nor do safety procedures or compensation for accidents," says the report. In Makrana mines, there is an average of one death a day. According to the MLPC, there are three deaths every day from work-related illnesses like silicosis and tuberculosis.
Further, Rajasthan continues to dabble with asbestos despite a worldwide ban on the mineral. Rajasthan, which has 54% of India's asbestos resources, still has five to six operational mines. According to the World Health Organisation, all forms of asbestos causes cancer, with chrysotile asbestos increasing the risk to cancer. This is a major health risk for workers, especially since these illegal mines do not provide safety equipment or compensation in case of accidents or deaths.
The report has expressed great concern that extensive mining of sandstone, marble and other minerals has converted the Aravalis into a rocky wasteland. Despite Supreme Court orders and threats since 1996, mining has continued unabated in the Aravallis.
10 Mar 2009, Trilok Sharma,
TNN
Friday, March 6, 2009
Vedanta disowns Asarco's liabilities for asbestos & environmental crimes
Asarco, formerly known as American Smelting and Refining Company has gone bankrupt
London-listed Vedanta Group subsidiary Sterlite Industries is planning to submit a new bid for bankrupt US copper miner Asarco at almost half the $2.6 billion it offered 10 months ago.
Media reports say that the new bid ranges from $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion with Sterlite reportedly making installment payments over a five-year period. However, the initial payment is expected to be half of the purchase price.
If the deal goes through, fifth place Sterlite will become the world's third largest copper miner with an annual capacity of 650,000 tonnes and proven copper reserves of 5 million tonnes.
The meltdown in copper prices is believed to be the main reason for cutting the acquisition price, analysts opined yesterday.
Analysts predict that global copper prices will fall below $3,000 per tonne, and could even plunge to $2,500 in 2009. Price of copper in 2007 was around $6,250 per tonne due to stabilisation of supply compared to 2006.
Sterlite and Asarco's parent Grupo Mexico have been in negotiations over the deal for months.
Grupo Mexico bought Asarco, a Tucson-based mining, smelting and refining company, in 1999. However, eventually labour disputes led to a four-month strike, which ended in 2005 when Asarco filed for bankruptcy protection.
Grupo subsidiary Americas Mining had submitted its own reorganisation plan to retain its interest in Asarco, offering to pay up to $2.7 billion in as well as post a $440 million to ensure payment of Asarco's liabilities stemming from the asbestos and environmental litigation.
However, Sterlite and Asarco had signed a definitive agreement for the sale of substantially all the operating assets of Asarco for $2.6 billion in cash.
''We are delighted to have reached agreement on this important acquisition, which is a significant milestone for our group,'' Anil Agarwal, chairman, Sterlite, had said at that time.
Asarco's president and chief executive officer, Joseph F Lapinsky shared Agarwal's enthusiasm, saying that "we are extremely pleased with this agreement.''
''Reaching this agreement with a world class mining company is a giant step forward in our quest to successfully emerge from Chapter 11,'' he said.
A good fit
Asarco is considered as a logical and strategic fit to Sterlite's existing copper business and is expected to create significant long term value for all stakeholders.
The integrated assets to be acquired include three open-pit copper mines and a copper smelter in Arizona, US and a copper refinery, rod and cake plant and precious metals plant in Texas, US. The asset acquisition is on a cash free and debt free basis.
Sterlite will assume operating liabilities but not legacy liabilities for asbestos and environmental claims for ceased operations.
Last October, Sterlite backed out of the deal saying it would need a substantial reduction in price after a drop in the copper markets.
Sterlite has been facing several other issues regarding the takeover attempt since from the beginning.
The deal drew opposition in the US as several Green groups have urged the department of Justice to review the bid.
In their joint letter, Sierra Club, Environmental Integrity Project and Public Citizen/Texas Office claim Vedanta's environmental track record is worst than Asarco's, which filed for bankruptcy after being sued for $1 billion in environmental and asbestos-related litigation.
Vedanta is essentially a metals player with interests in copper, aluminum and zinc. Apart from Asarco, its copper assets are a smelting business in India (which needs imported feedstock), two copper mines in Australia which it bought before its 2003 London listing, and the Konkola copper mines in Zambia acquired in November 2004. In zinc and aluminum, its assets are almost entirely in India.
Asarco, formerly known as American Smelting and Refining Company, is an over 100-year old company and is currently the third largest copper producer in the US. It produced 235,000 tonnes of refined copper in 2007.
Asarco's mines currently have estimated reserves of approximately 5 million tonnes of contained copper. For the year ended 31 December 2007, Asarco had total revenues of approximately $1.9 billion.
London-listed Vedanta Group subsidiary Sterlite Industries is planning to submit a new bid for bankrupt US copper miner Asarco at almost half the $2.6 billion it offered 10 months ago.
Media reports say that the new bid ranges from $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion with Sterlite reportedly making installment payments over a five-year period. However, the initial payment is expected to be half of the purchase price.
If the deal goes through, fifth place Sterlite will become the world's third largest copper miner with an annual capacity of 650,000 tonnes and proven copper reserves of 5 million tonnes.
The meltdown in copper prices is believed to be the main reason for cutting the acquisition price, analysts opined yesterday.
Analysts predict that global copper prices will fall below $3,000 per tonne, and could even plunge to $2,500 in 2009. Price of copper in 2007 was around $6,250 per tonne due to stabilisation of supply compared to 2006.
Sterlite and Asarco's parent Grupo Mexico have been in negotiations over the deal for months.
Grupo Mexico bought Asarco, a Tucson-based mining, smelting and refining company, in 1999. However, eventually labour disputes led to a four-month strike, which ended in 2005 when Asarco filed for bankruptcy protection.
Grupo subsidiary Americas Mining had submitted its own reorganisation plan to retain its interest in Asarco, offering to pay up to $2.7 billion in as well as post a $440 million to ensure payment of Asarco's liabilities stemming from the asbestos and environmental litigation.
However, Sterlite and Asarco had signed a definitive agreement for the sale of substantially all the operating assets of Asarco for $2.6 billion in cash.
''We are delighted to have reached agreement on this important acquisition, which is a significant milestone for our group,'' Anil Agarwal, chairman, Sterlite, had said at that time.
Asarco's president and chief executive officer, Joseph F Lapinsky shared Agarwal's enthusiasm, saying that "we are extremely pleased with this agreement.''
''Reaching this agreement with a world class mining company is a giant step forward in our quest to successfully emerge from Chapter 11,'' he said.
A good fit
Asarco is considered as a logical and strategic fit to Sterlite's existing copper business and is expected to create significant long term value for all stakeholders.
The integrated assets to be acquired include three open-pit copper mines and a copper smelter in Arizona, US and a copper refinery, rod and cake plant and precious metals plant in Texas, US. The asset acquisition is on a cash free and debt free basis.
Sterlite will assume operating liabilities but not legacy liabilities for asbestos and environmental claims for ceased operations.
Last October, Sterlite backed out of the deal saying it would need a substantial reduction in price after a drop in the copper markets.
Sterlite has been facing several other issues regarding the takeover attempt since from the beginning.
The deal drew opposition in the US as several Green groups have urged the department of Justice to review the bid.
In their joint letter, Sierra Club, Environmental Integrity Project and Public Citizen/Texas Office claim Vedanta's environmental track record is worst than Asarco's, which filed for bankruptcy after being sued for $1 billion in environmental and asbestos-related litigation.
Vedanta is essentially a metals player with interests in copper, aluminum and zinc. Apart from Asarco, its copper assets are a smelting business in India (which needs imported feedstock), two copper mines in Australia which it bought before its 2003 London listing, and the Konkola copper mines in Zambia acquired in November 2004. In zinc and aluminum, its assets are almost entirely in India.
Asarco, formerly known as American Smelting and Refining Company, is an over 100-year old company and is currently the third largest copper producer in the US. It produced 235,000 tonnes of refined copper in 2007.
Asarco's mines currently have estimated reserves of approximately 5 million tonnes of contained copper. For the year ended 31 December 2007, Asarco had total revenues of approximately $1.9 billion.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Ban on indigenous chrysotile asbestos mining lifted
None of our schools, offices, legislatures, courts, hospitals, automobiles, private & public buildings are asbestos free
New Delhi: 4/3/2009: Despite the asbestos disease epidemic in US, Europe, Australia, Japan, South Africa and elsewhere, a recent document titled "HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT STUDIES IN ASBESTOS BASED INDUSTRIES IN INDIA" by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Union Ministry of Environment Forests has failed to recommend ban on asbestos. The study was undertaken by the Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow for the CPCB. The political patronage enjoyed by the industry is an open secret. It is clear from the document that the ban on indigenous chrysotile asbestos mining has been lifted.
Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI) has written letters to the President, Vice President, National Human Rights Commission and the Defence Minister drawing their urgent attention towards a serious unprecedented environmental and occupational health crisis with regard to unnoticed asbestos epidemic in the country. Even if one asbestos fibre reaches the right place, it causes irreversible damage - leading to asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma. Thirty deaths are caused per day from asbestos-related
diseases as per estimates based on US and European studies.
It has drawn their attention to the order of Kerala Human Rights Commission that has ruled that exposing Indians to asbestos is a human rights violation. This paves the way for the eventual complete ban on asbestos and its products. On January 31, 2009, the Commission ruled that the government should take steps to phase out asbestos roofing from all schools in the state.
BANI has requested these authorities to act immediately in public interest to ensure that use of the of all kinds of asbestos products is stopped because it is being used and encountered daily, because none of the schools, offices, legislatures, courts, hospitals, automobiles, private and public buildings in our country are asbestos free in our country. It has sought a Register of asbestos handlers and victims and award a compensation of at least Rs 20 lakh for the asbestos victims among other things.
According to the 2008 report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests, “A technical person in the Gujarat State Pollution Control Board spares 1.77 days to monitor an industry in a year...while in Maharashtra the person spends only 1.23 days a year. This includes time taken on travelling.”
The Committee's Report on the Functioning of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is must set the alaram belling ringing. Underlining the malaise that afflicts CPCB the Parliamentary Committee agrees with the Supreme Court’s monitoring committee on hazardous waste observation that 77 per cent chairpersons and 55 per cent member secretaries in State Pollution Control Boards are not qualified enough to hold the post.
How handicapped has our environmental regulatory bodies is best illustrated in the manner in which asbestos is allowed to be used in the country despite the fact that some 50 countries have banned it and even International Labour Organisation and World Health Organisation call for its elimination. Even World Trade Organisation upheld the
right of the Europe to ban this incurable cancer cauding killer fiber. In case of asbestos, a carcinogen, India has no policy to discourage its use in textiles, building materials, insulation and brake linings in automobiles. Since the import of asbestos is cheaper than any of its alternatives like poly venyl alcohol, there is no economic
incentive to shift to cleaner production. There are alternatives within India also like natural cellulose fibre and a lot of research has been done on it, but there is little budget to promote it in the market. The situation with regard to monitoring of occupational health concerns arising from the ongoing manufacturing of asbestos products
is no different. In fact it is worse. The manner in which one of the world's most vulnerable work force in the asbestos and ship breaking industry is compelled to work in degrading, dangerous and highly exploitative condition is a case of outrageous barbarism with active connivance of the government.
When the world is preparing and planning to get rid of all forms of asbestos, it makes us look stupid in India to be still importing it and lifting the ban on chrysotile asbestos mining, we should devote our scarce resources to prevent the impending disaster by phasing it out as soon as we can. Safer substitute materials for white asbestos are available, they should be considered for use.
It is high time Government of India took note of ongoing asbestos exposures of citizens, consumers and workers and took immediate remedial measures. The exposure of construction workers and automobile mechanics for instance defies regulatory control efforts in any country.
In the foreword to the CPCB report, J. M. Mauskar, the ex-officio Chairman of the CPCB and Joint Secretary, MoEF writes, "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."
Underlining its risk it makes the following recommendations that ends up promoting mythical safe and controlled use of asbestos in order to safeguard the asbestos industry's lust for profit at any human cost. In the light of the study, the following recommendations that tantamounts to lip service in the absence of complete ban have been made to reduce the human risk of asbestos exposure and its health hazard:
1. All the workers should be provided with medical surveillance by the employer.
Medical surveillance programme should consist of the following:
• Pre- employment medical surveillance
• Periodic medical examination
• Medical examination at cessation of employment
• Maintenance of medical records; and
• Health education
Medical examination record should be maintained and stored for a period of 10
years following the termination of employment, or for 40 years after first day of
employment, whichever is later.
The Medical Doctor appointed for examining the workers should be trained in
Occupational Health. This will facilitate early detection of occupational related
diseases in the workers.
In order to comply the recommendations contained in IS:11451-1986, employer
should stop existing practice of employment of temporary, contract workers or
daily wage workers.
2. The Ministry of Mines had decided to continue the ban on mining of amphibole
variety of asbestos. By the time this ban is implemented in totality, following
measures are required to be taken by the asbestos milling units of Rajasthan.
• Preferably complete plant machinery requires to be redesigned with
proper engineering controls to reduce asbestos fibre emission.
• Manual handling of asbestos should be reduced to minimum.
• Fugitive emissions generated needs to be controlled.
• Asbestos bearing stones should be stored in a covered shed to avoid
fugitive emission.
• All material transfer point should be connected to dust extraction system.
3. Floor should be cleaned by vaccum cleaner only.
4. Workers likely to get exposed to asbestos should wear protective clothing and
respiratory equipment.
5. The asbestos based product manufacturing industries should operate and
maintain the air pollution control devices properly so as to comply with the
emission standards of 0.2 fibre / cc for asbestos fibre and 2 mg / Nm3 for total
dust. The monitoring should be carried out regularly and data should be
submitted to State Pollution Control Board and Central Pollution Control Board.
6. The asbestos fibre concentration at work place should not exceed 1 fibre / cc, as
per Factories Act, 1948.
7. The asbestos based units should get asbestos fibre monitoring done on regular
basis.
8. All the organized and unorganized industries should ensure good house keeping practices to reduce the asbestos exposure.
9. Work place asbestos standards should be brought down from 1 fibre/cc to 0.1 fibre/cc under the Factories Act, 1948 to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure.
10. Workers should be given education about the risk associated with asbestos dust exposure, potential health effects, etc.
11. Display board should be provided showing the hazards associated with asbestos and recommended precautionary measures.
Although some 60 countries have recognized that safe and controlled use of asbestos of all kinds is not possible, CPCB under tremendous influence of the asbestos industry recommends standards even at the risk of sounding ridiculous in the comity of nations.
It has come to light through RIght to Information application and admitted in the parliament by the Minister concerned that the studies conducted by the national occupational health institute is being funded by the chrysotile asbestos industry. The recent CPCB document refers to Project Advisory Committee members whose suggestions were deemed valuable but nowhere in the document does one find the names of these members. One would not be surprised if these members who facilitated the lifting of ban on mining of chrysotile asbestos and influenced the study to recommend continued use and manufacture were representatives from the chrysotile asbestos.
New Delhi: 4/3/2009: Despite the asbestos disease epidemic in US, Europe, Australia, Japan, South Africa and elsewhere, a recent document titled "HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT STUDIES IN ASBESTOS BASED INDUSTRIES IN INDIA" by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Union Ministry of Environment Forests has failed to recommend ban on asbestos. The study was undertaken by the Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow for the CPCB. The political patronage enjoyed by the industry is an open secret. It is clear from the document that the ban on indigenous chrysotile asbestos mining has been lifted.
Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI) has written letters to the President, Vice President, National Human Rights Commission and the Defence Minister drawing their urgent attention towards a serious unprecedented environmental and occupational health crisis with regard to unnoticed asbestos epidemic in the country. Even if one asbestos fibre reaches the right place, it causes irreversible damage - leading to asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma. Thirty deaths are caused per day from asbestos-related
diseases as per estimates based on US and European studies.
It has drawn their attention to the order of Kerala Human Rights Commission that has ruled that exposing Indians to asbestos is a human rights violation. This paves the way for the eventual complete ban on asbestos and its products. On January 31, 2009, the Commission ruled that the government should take steps to phase out asbestos roofing from all schools in the state.
BANI has requested these authorities to act immediately in public interest to ensure that use of the of all kinds of asbestos products is stopped because it is being used and encountered daily, because none of the schools, offices, legislatures, courts, hospitals, automobiles, private and public buildings in our country are asbestos free in our country. It has sought a Register of asbestos handlers and victims and award a compensation of at least Rs 20 lakh for the asbestos victims among other things.
According to the 2008 report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests, “A technical person in the Gujarat State Pollution Control Board spares 1.77 days to monitor an industry in a year...while in Maharashtra the person spends only 1.23 days a year. This includes time taken on travelling.”
The Committee's Report on the Functioning of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is must set the alaram belling ringing. Underlining the malaise that afflicts CPCB the Parliamentary Committee agrees with the Supreme Court’s monitoring committee on hazardous waste observation that 77 per cent chairpersons and 55 per cent member secretaries in State Pollution Control Boards are not qualified enough to hold the post.
How handicapped has our environmental regulatory bodies is best illustrated in the manner in which asbestos is allowed to be used in the country despite the fact that some 50 countries have banned it and even International Labour Organisation and World Health Organisation call for its elimination. Even World Trade Organisation upheld the
right of the Europe to ban this incurable cancer cauding killer fiber. In case of asbestos, a carcinogen, India has no policy to discourage its use in textiles, building materials, insulation and brake linings in automobiles. Since the import of asbestos is cheaper than any of its alternatives like poly venyl alcohol, there is no economic
incentive to shift to cleaner production. There are alternatives within India also like natural cellulose fibre and a lot of research has been done on it, but there is little budget to promote it in the market. The situation with regard to monitoring of occupational health concerns arising from the ongoing manufacturing of asbestos products
is no different. In fact it is worse. The manner in which one of the world's most vulnerable work force in the asbestos and ship breaking industry is compelled to work in degrading, dangerous and highly exploitative condition is a case of outrageous barbarism with active connivance of the government.
When the world is preparing and planning to get rid of all forms of asbestos, it makes us look stupid in India to be still importing it and lifting the ban on chrysotile asbestos mining, we should devote our scarce resources to prevent the impending disaster by phasing it out as soon as we can. Safer substitute materials for white asbestos are available, they should be considered for use.
It is high time Government of India took note of ongoing asbestos exposures of citizens, consumers and workers and took immediate remedial measures. The exposure of construction workers and automobile mechanics for instance defies regulatory control efforts in any country.
In the foreword to the CPCB report, J. M. Mauskar, the ex-officio Chairman of the CPCB and Joint Secretary, MoEF writes, "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."
Underlining its risk it makes the following recommendations that ends up promoting mythical safe and controlled use of asbestos in order to safeguard the asbestos industry's lust for profit at any human cost. In the light of the study, the following recommendations that tantamounts to lip service in the absence of complete ban have been made to reduce the human risk of asbestos exposure and its health hazard:
1. All the workers should be provided with medical surveillance by the employer.
Medical surveillance programme should consist of the following:
• Pre- employment medical surveillance
• Periodic medical examination
• Medical examination at cessation of employment
• Maintenance of medical records; and
• Health education
Medical examination record should be maintained and stored for a period of 10
years following the termination of employment, or for 40 years after first day of
employment, whichever is later.
The Medical Doctor appointed for examining the workers should be trained in
Occupational Health. This will facilitate early detection of occupational related
diseases in the workers.
In order to comply the recommendations contained in IS:11451-1986, employer
should stop existing practice of employment of temporary, contract workers or
daily wage workers.
2. The Ministry of Mines had decided to continue the ban on mining of amphibole
variety of asbestos. By the time this ban is implemented in totality, following
measures are required to be taken by the asbestos milling units of Rajasthan.
• Preferably complete plant machinery requires to be redesigned with
proper engineering controls to reduce asbestos fibre emission.
• Manual handling of asbestos should be reduced to minimum.
• Fugitive emissions generated needs to be controlled.
• Asbestos bearing stones should be stored in a covered shed to avoid
fugitive emission.
• All material transfer point should be connected to dust extraction system.
3. Floor should be cleaned by vaccum cleaner only.
4. Workers likely to get exposed to asbestos should wear protective clothing and
respiratory equipment.
5. The asbestos based product manufacturing industries should operate and
maintain the air pollution control devices properly so as to comply with the
emission standards of 0.2 fibre / cc for asbestos fibre and 2 mg / Nm3 for total
dust. The monitoring should be carried out regularly and data should be
submitted to State Pollution Control Board and Central Pollution Control Board.
6. The asbestos fibre concentration at work place should not exceed 1 fibre / cc, as
per Factories Act, 1948.
7. The asbestos based units should get asbestos fibre monitoring done on regular
basis.
8. All the organized and unorganized industries should ensure good house keeping practices to reduce the asbestos exposure.
9. Work place asbestos standards should be brought down from 1 fibre/cc to 0.1 fibre/cc under the Factories Act, 1948 to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure.
10. Workers should be given education about the risk associated with asbestos dust exposure, potential health effects, etc.
11. Display board should be provided showing the hazards associated with asbestos and recommended precautionary measures.
Although some 60 countries have recognized that safe and controlled use of asbestos of all kinds is not possible, CPCB under tremendous influence of the asbestos industry recommends standards even at the risk of sounding ridiculous in the comity of nations.
It has come to light through RIght to Information application and admitted in the parliament by the Minister concerned that the studies conducted by the national occupational health institute is being funded by the chrysotile asbestos industry. The recent CPCB document refers to Project Advisory Committee members whose suggestions were deemed valuable but nowhere in the document does one find the names of these members. One would not be surprised if these members who facilitated the lifting of ban on mining of chrysotile asbestos and influenced the study to recommend continued use and manufacture were representatives from the chrysotile asbestos.
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