Groups like the Ban Asbestos Network India (BANI) are hard at work to make on-the-job conditions safer for asbestos workers
May 18, 2011
By Eric Stevenson
While many developed nations have banned or at least severely restricted the use of asbestos in manufacturing and other industries, the dangerous mineral continues to be a serious health hazard in many Asian countries, particularly India. According to a 2009 U.S. Geological Survey report, India was the second-largest consumer of asbestos, behind only China, using 340,544 tonnes of the material. And, unfortunately, that rate of use continues to grow. Even more alarming, much of their asbestos use can be attributed to the exporting of the product by both Canadian and American companies.
While the U.S. doesn’t directly export these materials, it sends over many ships to be destroyed by the ship-breaking industry, which is massive in places like India and Bangladesh. Many of the ships used throughout the 1900s in the U.S. are laden with asbestos.
Different from the U.S. practice, some Canadian businesses still mine and export asbestos out of the country in return for major revenue. While there only remains one mine left in Canada, Mine Jeffrey in Quebec is still a money maker. It’s rather unfortunate that some businesses see fit to export the material for profit. Neither country has been able to actually ban complete use of the material yet, giving some companies the chance to take advantage.
Asbestos is dangerous because tiny, needlelike fibres of the mineral can break away, floating into the air, where they can be inhaled into the lungs. When these fibers build up over time, asbestos exposure can cause lung scarring, asbestosis, and mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs. Mesothelioma symptoms can take between 20 and 50 years to appear, so those in charge of the asbestos industry in India deny that there is a connection between asbestos and the cancer. However, U.S. and U.K. scientists call the link irrefutable—about 80 percent of mesothelioma cases can be linked back directly to asbestos exposure earlier in life.
Unfortunately, most states and territories in India lack the funding that would be necessary to prove to their own government that asbestos is harmful. It represents a big business in the country—the ship-breaking industry, where large quantities of asbestos are routinely ripped out as the vessels are disassembled, provides many jobs in India’s growing economy. Another hot spot for asbestos is the construction industry, where the mineral is still used in the manufacturing of cement sheeting. The demand for these construction materials is highest in rural areas with growing populations, which means that even more people are being exposed to the hazardous substance.
If the industries that make heavy use of asbestos are not able to shut down completely—and for the sake of India’s economy, they largely cannot—employers must provide proper safety gear for their workers, including a mask and respirator to filter the deadly fibres from the air. Groups like the Ban Asbestos Network India are hard at work to make on-the-job conditions safer for asbestos workers. In other countries, when workers became aware of the hazards they faced, the governmenhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gift and national companies could no longer deny them their basic rights to health and safety. Hopefully, once awareness spreads throughout India of this dangerous substance, Indian workers will no longer have to face this preventable threat.
Eric Stevenson is a health and safety advocate who resides in the southeastern U.S.
SOURCE: http://www.straight.com/article-393610/vancouver/eric-stevenson-canada-us-shouldnt-be-exporting-asbestos
Friday, May 20, 2011
How asbestos made me a better journalist
How asbestos made me a better journalist
Scienceblogs.com, May 20, 2011 by James Hrynyshyn
A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, I was a 21-year-old journalism student spending a couple of weeks as an intern at Science Dimension, a government-funded magazine (there weren't any private science magazines in the country). I was assigned two short features while there: one on canola bioengineering and another on Canada's asbestos industry. Both amounted to free publicity for industries heavily supported by the Canadian taxpayer, but I think the canola story withstood professional scrutiny. The asbestos piece? Not so much.
That story continues to haunt me. The only good thing I can say about it is I learned a hard lesson about the need for skepticism, especially when tasked with interviewing scientists whose livelihoods depend on something other than following the facts wherever they might lead. I bring it up thanks to Jon Stewart's Daily show team, who recently discovered that Quebec and Canada continue to dump the province's asbestos onto developing nations despite the overwhelming consensus of the medical and scientific communities that it's a powerful carcinogen.
Back then I really had no idea that government-supported scientists, such as the people working at what was then known as the Asbestos Institute, would feed me a pack of lies. I knew they worked for asbestos miners, but I figured that surely the Canadian government wouldn't support something that killed people. So when I was told that Quebec asbestos, known as chrysotile, was actually safe, unlike the cancer-causing amphibole variety that everyone else produces, it didn't occur to me to challenge my sources.
Fortunately, that story never saw the light of day. My editors weren't quite as gullible as me. Given that the story was their idea, I suppose they might have been testing me. If so, they never gave me any constructive feedback, though -- something that annoyed me for ages. I even remember doing another story a few months later on asbestos for the university newspaper, and I still hadn't figured out that the gang at the Asbestos Institute (now renamed the less-ominous Chrysotile Insitute) were lying.
Only much later, when I had learned to check the scientific literature itself, instead of trusting someone else to explain it to me, did I learn the facts about asbestos. The short story is this: No one doubts that amphibole asbestos is dangerous. Chrysotile is similar in structure; different enough to pose questions but no so different that it makes sense to assume it doesn't post comparable risks. What evidence exists does not warrant concluding it is safe. And most chrysotile products are contaminated to some degree by amphibole fibers. Logically, then, to tell a 21-year-old journalism student -- or anyone else -- that your product is perfectly safe is tantamount to lying. Here's an excerpt from a Canadian Medical Association Journal review of the subject:
The fact that chrysotile can be contaminated with amphibole is an inconvenient truth that is often overlooked in industry-funded studies (see related News article, page 886). It is only by discounting the industry-funded publications that a clearer picture emerges. In studies of exposure to putatively pure chrysotile, there is a lesser, but still significant, rise in lung cancer and mesothelioma. In the latest meta-analysis, some chrysotile sources appear equally potent as amphibole in causing lung cancer. It is no wonder that WHO recommends that "the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop using all types of asbestos."
That was written in 2008, but the facts weren't any more in industry's favor back in the 1980s. See, for example, the 1986 Asbestos Convention and the U.S. Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986. There remains plenty of work for researchers interested in nailing down just what chrysotile exposure can do to us, but no one can sincerely argue that it is "relatively safe." It is a classic application of the precautionary principle. We don't have all the facts (because we never do) but what facts we have warrants avoiding the stuff.
Kind of reminds me of global warming. Do we have all the facts about the consequences of fossil-fuel combustion? No (see the preceding sentence). But there is a widespread consensus about what we do know. And what do we do know warrants taking steps to stop burning oil, coal, and gas as soon as we can.
The asbestos analogy may not resonate with everyone. But for me, it was particularly instructive. I am now skeptical by nature, thanks in no small part to my experience with the asbestos propagandists. When anyone, particularly those who owe some or all of their livelihood to corporate interests, argues that everyone else is wrong and they are right, I tend to doubt that they are telling the whole truth, or even a part of it. Most such claims are best ignored. Until some other more-gullible reporter gives it unwarranted attention in a high-profile outlet and someone has to set the record straight, of course.
Second, I learned that science journalists need to be able to read the primary literature and not rely on others' interpretation. In my own case, that meant I needed to return to school and get another degree, one in a hard science. I am not suggesting that every science journalist needs to have a science degree. There are plenty of excellent examples out there to prove the contrary. But for me, it made a crucial difference. And given the incredible amount of disinformation about climatology that finds its way into the so-called respectable news outlets these days, it only seems reasonable that the onus should be on a journalist to demonstrate at least some understanding of a beat before he or she is granted the privilege of being paid to cover it.
Scienceblogs.com, May 20, 2011 by James Hrynyshyn
A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, I was a 21-year-old journalism student spending a couple of weeks as an intern at Science Dimension, a government-funded magazine (there weren't any private science magazines in the country). I was assigned two short features while there: one on canola bioengineering and another on Canada's asbestos industry. Both amounted to free publicity for industries heavily supported by the Canadian taxpayer, but I think the canola story withstood professional scrutiny. The asbestos piece? Not so much.
That story continues to haunt me. The only good thing I can say about it is I learned a hard lesson about the need for skepticism, especially when tasked with interviewing scientists whose livelihoods depend on something other than following the facts wherever they might lead. I bring it up thanks to Jon Stewart's Daily show team, who recently discovered that Quebec and Canada continue to dump the province's asbestos onto developing nations despite the overwhelming consensus of the medical and scientific communities that it's a powerful carcinogen.
Back then I really had no idea that government-supported scientists, such as the people working at what was then known as the Asbestos Institute, would feed me a pack of lies. I knew they worked for asbestos miners, but I figured that surely the Canadian government wouldn't support something that killed people. So when I was told that Quebec asbestos, known as chrysotile, was actually safe, unlike the cancer-causing amphibole variety that everyone else produces, it didn't occur to me to challenge my sources.
Fortunately, that story never saw the light of day. My editors weren't quite as gullible as me. Given that the story was their idea, I suppose they might have been testing me. If so, they never gave me any constructive feedback, though -- something that annoyed me for ages. I even remember doing another story a few months later on asbestos for the university newspaper, and I still hadn't figured out that the gang at the Asbestos Institute (now renamed the less-ominous Chrysotile Insitute) were lying.
Only much later, when I had learned to check the scientific literature itself, instead of trusting someone else to explain it to me, did I learn the facts about asbestos. The short story is this: No one doubts that amphibole asbestos is dangerous. Chrysotile is similar in structure; different enough to pose questions but no so different that it makes sense to assume it doesn't post comparable risks. What evidence exists does not warrant concluding it is safe. And most chrysotile products are contaminated to some degree by amphibole fibers. Logically, then, to tell a 21-year-old journalism student -- or anyone else -- that your product is perfectly safe is tantamount to lying. Here's an excerpt from a Canadian Medical Association Journal review of the subject:
The fact that chrysotile can be contaminated with amphibole is an inconvenient truth that is often overlooked in industry-funded studies (see related News article, page 886). It is only by discounting the industry-funded publications that a clearer picture emerges. In studies of exposure to putatively pure chrysotile, there is a lesser, but still significant, rise in lung cancer and mesothelioma. In the latest meta-analysis, some chrysotile sources appear equally potent as amphibole in causing lung cancer. It is no wonder that WHO recommends that "the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop using all types of asbestos."
That was written in 2008, but the facts weren't any more in industry's favor back in the 1980s. See, for example, the 1986 Asbestos Convention and the U.S. Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986. There remains plenty of work for researchers interested in nailing down just what chrysotile exposure can do to us, but no one can sincerely argue that it is "relatively safe." It is a classic application of the precautionary principle. We don't have all the facts (because we never do) but what facts we have warrants avoiding the stuff.
Kind of reminds me of global warming. Do we have all the facts about the consequences of fossil-fuel combustion? No (see the preceding sentence). But there is a widespread consensus about what we do know. And what do we do know warrants taking steps to stop burning oil, coal, and gas as soon as we can.
The asbestos analogy may not resonate with everyone. But for me, it was particularly instructive. I am now skeptical by nature, thanks in no small part to my experience with the asbestos propagandists. When anyone, particularly those who owe some or all of their livelihood to corporate interests, argues that everyone else is wrong and they are right, I tend to doubt that they are telling the whole truth, or even a part of it. Most such claims are best ignored. Until some other more-gullible reporter gives it unwarranted attention in a high-profile outlet and someone has to set the record straight, of course.
Second, I learned that science journalists need to be able to read the primary literature and not rely on others' interpretation. In my own case, that meant I needed to return to school and get another degree, one in a hard science. I am not suggesting that every science journalist needs to have a science degree. There are plenty of excellent examples out there to prove the contrary. But for me, it made a crucial difference. And given the incredible amount of disinformation about climatology that finds its way into the so-called respectable news outlets these days, it only seems reasonable that the onus should be on a journalist to demonstrate at least some understanding of a beat before he or she is granted the privilege of being paid to cover it.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Stop Killer Asbestos Fiber based Plants in Afghanistan
To
His Excellency
Government of Afghanistan
Presidential Palace,
Kabul
Afghanistan
Through Mr Feroz Mohmand, Executive Assistant, President Spokesperson
Subject-Stop Killer Asbestos Fiber based Plants in Afghanistan
Sir,
Namaste from India!
I wish to draw your attention towards the resolutions of World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) seeking elimination of future use of all forms of asbestos passed in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
I have come to know that the construction industry in your country is installing asbestos products such as sprayed-on fireproofing, pipe insulation, floor tiles, cement pipe and sheet, roofing felts and shingles, ceiling tiles, fire-resistant drywall, drywall joint compounds, and acoustical products.
I submit that asbestos fibers enter the body when a person inhales airborne particles that become embedded in the tissues of the respiratory systems. Exposure to asbestos can cause disabling or fatal diseases such as asbestosis, an emphysema-like condition; lung cancer; mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor that spreads rapidly in the cells of membranes covering the lungs. The symptoms of these diseases generally do not appear for 20 or more years after initial exposure. In view of such established hazards, the preventive option is not to use asbestos based products and opt for alternatives of asbestos.
On behalf of South Asian Ban Asbestos Network (SABAN) and Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI), I submit that there is an urgent for your government to ascertain the incurable diseases caused by asbestos especially in the aftermath of the verdict of ILO, WHO and WTO Appellate Body against the killer fibers of asbestos. Most of the northern countries have banned asbestos. It is high time Southern countries followed the path shown by Japan by taking steps to make their countries asbestos free.
It is well established in the medical community that asbestos is a carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer since early 1950s. It was absolutely established that asbestos is a carcinogen by 1965. Despite this companies like Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) that caused world's worst industrial disaster in Bhopal, India and members of Chrysotile Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (CACPMA), Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (ASCMA) have been playing word games avoided telling their customers that asbestos was a carcinogen.
I submit that Afghanistan Government should not ignore Indian Environment Ministry’s 19 page Vision Statement on Environment and Human Health (Para 4.3.1, page 12) which reads: “Alternatives to asbestos may be used to the extent possible and use of asbestos may be phased out” and the fact that mining of asbestos is banned in India on health grounds besides ban on trade in asbestos waste (dust and fibers). This statement is available on Ministry’s website.
The fact is that the fiber roofing sheets will be manufactured by using asbestos fibers which is banned in over 55 countries.
I submit that there is global awareness about the adverse effects of asbestos fibers. It affects everyone from the person mining it to the ultimate consumer. Clinical reports show that asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer can show up even 25 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos.
I submit that like elsewhere, in your country too, all cases of mesothelioma, an aggressive asbestos-related cancer are linked to asbestos exposure. All the medical colleges in India must teach that most cases of mesothelioma are related to enviro-occupational asbestos exposure that often occurred decades earlier in industries heavily dependent on asbestos-based products. These industries include construction, automobile repair and shipbuilding.
It is a glaring fact that the members of Chrysotile Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (CACPMA), Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (ASCMA) and other industries based on killer fibers of asbestos are knowingly exposing workers, their families and consumers.
While the medical and financial relief (compensation) for the illness of workers, their families and consumers must be borne by the companies in question, in South Asia because of political patronage members of both CACPMA, ASCMA and others have escaped liability and have not been made accountable for deaths and diseases being caused by their products.
I submit that there are many factors that influence a person’s life expectancy. Mesothelioma, a asbestos related incurable disease is typically diagnosed in the late stages because it displays no serious symptoms before then. When diagnosed in the late stages, the average life expectancy is 8 months.
I submit that your government must identify and assist those who suffer from mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases because they have the right to pursue financial compensation besides providing free legal consultation to present and potential victims and their families.
I submit that in an order dated January 21, 201, Hon’ble Supreme Court’s bench of Chief Justice of India Justice S.H. Kapadia, Justice K.S. Panicker Radhakrishnan and Justice Swatanter Kumar has observed in para 15, “the Government has already presented the Bill in Rajya Sabha. The statement of objects and reasons of this Bill specifically notices that the white asbestos is highly carcinogenic and it has been so reported by the World Health Organisation. In India, it is imported without any restriction while even its domestic use is not preferred by the exporting countries.” Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of Parliament of India.
The Bench of Chief Justice of India notes, “Canada and Russia are the biggest exporters of white asbestos. In 2007, Canada exported 95% of the white asbestos, it mined out of which 43% was shipped to India. In view of these facts, there is an urgent need for a total ban on the import and use of white asbestos and promote the use of alternative materials. The Bill is yet to be passed but it is clearly demonstrated that the Government is required to take effective steps to prevent hazardous impact of use of asbestos.”
I wish to inform you that the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a new factsheet on asbestos:http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs343/en/index.html It re-iterates that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related
diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos and specifically states that its strategy is particularly targeted at countries still using chrysotile asbestos. The factsheet notes that “more than 107 000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis resulting from occupational exposure.”
I submit that the work of WHO and International Labour Organization (ILO) must be taken cognisance of by your Government in its efforts towards elimination of asbestos-related diseases “by recognizing that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos and by providing information about solutions for replacing asbestos with safer substitutes and developing economic and technological mechanisms to stimulate its replacement.”
I wish to draw your attention towards the New Delhi Declaration Seeking Elimination of cancer causing all forms of asbestos including Chrysotile from India which was adopted and endorsed by eminent scientists and doctors on 24th March, 2011. This happened at a Round Table which was organized immediately after the conclusion of International Conference on "Emerging Trends in Preventing Occupational Respiratory Diseases and Cancers in Workplace" at Maulana Azad Medical College, India that expressed grave concern about asbestos related diseases like lung cancer in the national capital.
The delegates at the Round Table discussed the asbestos policies in South Asia. These delegates shared their views and gave their valuable hand written notes so that it can be used in a credible way while strongly recommending the need for immediate ban on asbestos.
I wish to submit that during a visit to New Delhi in March 2011, Dr Alec Farquhar, Managing Director, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Canada said, “We now have around 500 asbestos cancer cases every year in Ontario from a population of 13 million. In Ontario, we learned that safe use of asbestos is impossible. I urge you from the bottom of my heart, please do not make the same mistake as we made in Canada. Stop using asbestos and use a safe alternative.” The situation in Afghanistan with a population estimated at roughly 29 million people in all the 34 provinces is bound to be worse.
I submit that Professor Elihu D Richter MD MPH, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Israel said, “All form of asbestos kill.” Prof. Richter too was in New Delhi in March 2011.
It must be noted that “...there is no question that science has shown that Chrysotile causes asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. This is the conclusion of World Health Organisation. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, and other organizations that have no biases except for protecting people’s health,” said Prof. Arthur L Frank, MD, PhD, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, US. He has 40 years of experience in dealing with asbestos diseases and he was in India to make a presentation at an International Conference on Occupational Health.
I submit that Collegium Ramazzini, a Italy based independent, international academy founded in 1982 by Irving J. Selikoff, Cesare Maltoni and other eminent scientists has called for the elimination asbestos of all kinds.
Presenting her views, Prof (Dr) Qamar Rahman, fellow of National Academy of Sciences, Dean, Integral University, Lucknow & former Deputy Director, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow asserted, “The asbestos fibers will be the cause of exposure to our coming generations.” This merits your immediate attention.
It may noted that the conference was organised by Centre for Occupational Health, New Delhi supported by Union Ministry of Labour & Employment, ESI, DGMS and DGFASL in collaboration with Drexel University, US at Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi from 22-24 March, 2011.
The conference was deeply concerned about asbestos related diseases and the alarming rise of asbestos.
I also wish to draw your attention 5th Conference of the Parties (COP5) to the UN's Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade to be in Geneva wherein the fate of Chrysotile asbestos and some other chemicals will be be decided. The objective of the Rotterdam Convention “is to promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among Parties in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment from potential harm.”
In order to meet its objective, COP5 of Rotterdam Convention will consider the inclusion in Annex III of chrysotile asbestos under agenda item 5 c during the meeting scheduled for June 20-24, 2011.
It is noteworthy that the inclusion in Annex III does not equate to a prohibition of trade. It imposes requirements on exporting nations to provide basic information to consumers and customers environmental health hazards due to certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade.
I wish to inform you that there has been several attempts to include chrysotile asbestos (White Asbestos) on the prior informed consent list have failed due to the influence of asbestos producing countries who are compelled by their companies led by Quebec based Canadian companies who have succeeded in preventing any action on chrysotile asbestos being taken.
I submit that discussions on chrysotile asbestos at the COP 4 of Rotterdam Convention in 2008 took a decision to examine its listing at COP5 in June 2011. It is well known around the world that asbestos is hazardous to human health, and that there is no such thing as “safe use” of asbestos, just like there is no “safe cigarette”. It would do better to aim for growth through development of safe industries, and to lower the prices of substitutes, rather than promote use of this hazardous substance, opined Dr Yael Stein, MD, Unit of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hebrew University, Israel. This clearly underlines that white asbestos or chrysotile asbestos is a health hazard which is essentially what COP5 is to decide in Geneva.
In such a backdrop, in short, I request you to recommend steps on the following points:
· Urge Government of Afghanistan to Support Listing of Chrysotile (White Asbestos) in the PIC List of Rotterdam Convention
· Deny Consent to Establish to hazardous asbestos factory units in Afghanistan
· Create a Registry of Incurable Lung Cancers and Mesothelioma besides a registry of asbestos related diseases
· Start efforts to decontaminate asbestos laden buildings including schools and hospitals
· Create a building registry of those buildings and products which have asbestos.
· Include environmental and occupational health study in the medical education of all the medical colleges in Afghanistan
· Stop procurement of cancer causing asbestos based products in Afghanistan especially in the name of rehabilitation and resettlement
· Adequately compensate the victims of asbestos-related diseases, create a database of asbestos exposed people and victims as well besides providing legal and possible medical relief and taking preventive measures
I would be quite happy to share more details about the asbestos related incurable diseases.
Yours Sincerely
Gopal Krishna
Convener
Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI)
South Asian Ban Asbestos Network (SABAN)
New Delhi
Mb: 09818089660, 07739308480
E-mail:krishna2777@gmail.com
Blog:banasbestosindia.blogspot.com
Web: www.toxicswatch.com
Cc
Prof (Dr) Arthur Frank, Professor, Chair: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, US,
Dr Aleck Farquhar, Managing Director, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Canada,
Professor Elihu D Richter MD MPH, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Israel
Dr Yael Stein, MD, Unit of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hebrew University, Israel
Dr Lyle Hargrove, Chairperson, Occupational Clinics for Ontario Workers, Canada
Prof (Dr) Qamar Rahman, Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, India & former Deputy Director, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, India
Dr. T.K. Joshi, Fellow, Collegium Ramazzini, Italy
Dr Barry Castleman, Author, Asbestos: Medical and Legal Aspects
Prof. (Dr) Sanjay Chaturvedi, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi
Mr Mohammad Faheem Dashty, Editor-in-Chief, Kabul Weekly
Mr Abdul Khaliq Fazal, former Minister of Public Works, Government of Afghanistan
Dr. James C. Dabhi, visiting Professor, Herat and Bamiyan Universities, Afghanistan
Mr Shaukat Zamani, Founder, Help Afghan Education, Afghanistan
Mr Sharif Ghalib, President, Canadian Afghan Council
Dr. Assem Akram, Author, Modern Afghan History
His Excellency
Government of Afghanistan
Presidential Palace,
Kabul
Afghanistan
Through Mr Feroz Mohmand, Executive Assistant, President Spokesperson
Subject-Stop Killer Asbestos Fiber based Plants in Afghanistan
Sir,
Namaste from India!
I wish to draw your attention towards the resolutions of World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) seeking elimination of future use of all forms of asbestos passed in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
I have come to know that the construction industry in your country is installing asbestos products such as sprayed-on fireproofing, pipe insulation, floor tiles, cement pipe and sheet, roofing felts and shingles, ceiling tiles, fire-resistant drywall, drywall joint compounds, and acoustical products.
I submit that asbestos fibers enter the body when a person inhales airborne particles that become embedded in the tissues of the respiratory systems. Exposure to asbestos can cause disabling or fatal diseases such as asbestosis, an emphysema-like condition; lung cancer; mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor that spreads rapidly in the cells of membranes covering the lungs. The symptoms of these diseases generally do not appear for 20 or more years after initial exposure. In view of such established hazards, the preventive option is not to use asbestos based products and opt for alternatives of asbestos.
On behalf of South Asian Ban Asbestos Network (SABAN) and Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI), I submit that there is an urgent for your government to ascertain the incurable diseases caused by asbestos especially in the aftermath of the verdict of ILO, WHO and WTO Appellate Body against the killer fibers of asbestos. Most of the northern countries have banned asbestos. It is high time Southern countries followed the path shown by Japan by taking steps to make their countries asbestos free.
It is well established in the medical community that asbestos is a carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer since early 1950s. It was absolutely established that asbestos is a carcinogen by 1965. Despite this companies like Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) that caused world's worst industrial disaster in Bhopal, India and members of Chrysotile Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (CACPMA), Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (ASCMA) have been playing word games avoided telling their customers that asbestos was a carcinogen.
I submit that Afghanistan Government should not ignore Indian Environment Ministry’s 19 page Vision Statement on Environment and Human Health (Para 4.3.1, page 12) which reads: “Alternatives to asbestos may be used to the extent possible and use of asbestos may be phased out” and the fact that mining of asbestos is banned in India on health grounds besides ban on trade in asbestos waste (dust and fibers). This statement is available on Ministry’s website.
The fact is that the fiber roofing sheets will be manufactured by using asbestos fibers which is banned in over 55 countries.
I submit that there is global awareness about the adverse effects of asbestos fibers. It affects everyone from the person mining it to the ultimate consumer. Clinical reports show that asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer can show up even 25 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos.
I submit that like elsewhere, in your country too, all cases of mesothelioma, an aggressive asbestos-related cancer are linked to asbestos exposure. All the medical colleges in India must teach that most cases of mesothelioma are related to enviro-occupational asbestos exposure that often occurred decades earlier in industries heavily dependent on asbestos-based products. These industries include construction, automobile repair and shipbuilding.
It is a glaring fact that the members of Chrysotile Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (CACPMA), Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (ASCMA) and other industries based on killer fibers of asbestos are knowingly exposing workers, their families and consumers.
While the medical and financial relief (compensation) for the illness of workers, their families and consumers must be borne by the companies in question, in South Asia because of political patronage members of both CACPMA, ASCMA and others have escaped liability and have not been made accountable for deaths and diseases being caused by their products.
I submit that there are many factors that influence a person’s life expectancy. Mesothelioma, a asbestos related incurable disease is typically diagnosed in the late stages because it displays no serious symptoms before then. When diagnosed in the late stages, the average life expectancy is 8 months.
I submit that your government must identify and assist those who suffer from mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases because they have the right to pursue financial compensation besides providing free legal consultation to present and potential victims and their families.
I submit that in an order dated January 21, 201, Hon’ble Supreme Court’s bench of Chief Justice of India Justice S.H. Kapadia, Justice K.S. Panicker Radhakrishnan and Justice Swatanter Kumar has observed in para 15, “the Government has already presented the Bill in Rajya Sabha. The statement of objects and reasons of this Bill specifically notices that the white asbestos is highly carcinogenic and it has been so reported by the World Health Organisation. In India, it is imported without any restriction while even its domestic use is not preferred by the exporting countries.” Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of Parliament of India.
The Bench of Chief Justice of India notes, “Canada and Russia are the biggest exporters of white asbestos. In 2007, Canada exported 95% of the white asbestos, it mined out of which 43% was shipped to India. In view of these facts, there is an urgent need for a total ban on the import and use of white asbestos and promote the use of alternative materials. The Bill is yet to be passed but it is clearly demonstrated that the Government is required to take effective steps to prevent hazardous impact of use of asbestos.”
I wish to inform you that the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a new factsheet on asbestos:http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs343/en/index.html It re-iterates that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related
diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos and specifically states that its strategy is particularly targeted at countries still using chrysotile asbestos. The factsheet notes that “more than 107 000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis resulting from occupational exposure.”
I submit that the work of WHO and International Labour Organization (ILO) must be taken cognisance of by your Government in its efforts towards elimination of asbestos-related diseases “by recognizing that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos and by providing information about solutions for replacing asbestos with safer substitutes and developing economic and technological mechanisms to stimulate its replacement.”
I wish to draw your attention towards the New Delhi Declaration Seeking Elimination of cancer causing all forms of asbestos including Chrysotile from India which was adopted and endorsed by eminent scientists and doctors on 24th March, 2011. This happened at a Round Table which was organized immediately after the conclusion of International Conference on "Emerging Trends in Preventing Occupational Respiratory Diseases and Cancers in Workplace" at Maulana Azad Medical College, India that expressed grave concern about asbestos related diseases like lung cancer in the national capital.
The delegates at the Round Table discussed the asbestos policies in South Asia. These delegates shared their views and gave their valuable hand written notes so that it can be used in a credible way while strongly recommending the need for immediate ban on asbestos.
I wish to submit that during a visit to New Delhi in March 2011, Dr Alec Farquhar, Managing Director, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Canada said, “We now have around 500 asbestos cancer cases every year in Ontario from a population of 13 million. In Ontario, we learned that safe use of asbestos is impossible. I urge you from the bottom of my heart, please do not make the same mistake as we made in Canada. Stop using asbestos and use a safe alternative.” The situation in Afghanistan with a population estimated at roughly 29 million people in all the 34 provinces is bound to be worse.
I submit that Professor Elihu D Richter MD MPH, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Israel said, “All form of asbestos kill.” Prof. Richter too was in New Delhi in March 2011.
It must be noted that “...there is no question that science has shown that Chrysotile causes asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. This is the conclusion of World Health Organisation. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, and other organizations that have no biases except for protecting people’s health,” said Prof. Arthur L Frank, MD, PhD, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, US. He has 40 years of experience in dealing with asbestos diseases and he was in India to make a presentation at an International Conference on Occupational Health.
I submit that Collegium Ramazzini, a Italy based independent, international academy founded in 1982 by Irving J. Selikoff, Cesare Maltoni and other eminent scientists has called for the elimination asbestos of all kinds.
Presenting her views, Prof (Dr) Qamar Rahman, fellow of National Academy of Sciences, Dean, Integral University, Lucknow & former Deputy Director, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow asserted, “The asbestos fibers will be the cause of exposure to our coming generations.” This merits your immediate attention.
It may noted that the conference was organised by Centre for Occupational Health, New Delhi supported by Union Ministry of Labour & Employment, ESI, DGMS and DGFASL in collaboration with Drexel University, US at Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi from 22-24 March, 2011.
The conference was deeply concerned about asbestos related diseases and the alarming rise of asbestos.
I also wish to draw your attention 5th Conference of the Parties (COP5) to the UN's Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade to be in Geneva wherein the fate of Chrysotile asbestos and some other chemicals will be be decided. The objective of the Rotterdam Convention “is to promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among Parties in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment from potential harm.”
In order to meet its objective, COP5 of Rotterdam Convention will consider the inclusion in Annex III of chrysotile asbestos under agenda item 5 c during the meeting scheduled for June 20-24, 2011.
It is noteworthy that the inclusion in Annex III does not equate to a prohibition of trade. It imposes requirements on exporting nations to provide basic information to consumers and customers environmental health hazards due to certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade.
I wish to inform you that there has been several attempts to include chrysotile asbestos (White Asbestos) on the prior informed consent list have failed due to the influence of asbestos producing countries who are compelled by their companies led by Quebec based Canadian companies who have succeeded in preventing any action on chrysotile asbestos being taken.
I submit that discussions on chrysotile asbestos at the COP 4 of Rotterdam Convention in 2008 took a decision to examine its listing at COP5 in June 2011. It is well known around the world that asbestos is hazardous to human health, and that there is no such thing as “safe use” of asbestos, just like there is no “safe cigarette”. It would do better to aim for growth through development of safe industries, and to lower the prices of substitutes, rather than promote use of this hazardous substance, opined Dr Yael Stein, MD, Unit of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hebrew University, Israel. This clearly underlines that white asbestos or chrysotile asbestos is a health hazard which is essentially what COP5 is to decide in Geneva.
In such a backdrop, in short, I request you to recommend steps on the following points:
· Urge Government of Afghanistan to Support Listing of Chrysotile (White Asbestos) in the PIC List of Rotterdam Convention
· Deny Consent to Establish to hazardous asbestos factory units in Afghanistan
· Create a Registry of Incurable Lung Cancers and Mesothelioma besides a registry of asbestos related diseases
· Start efforts to decontaminate asbestos laden buildings including schools and hospitals
· Create a building registry of those buildings and products which have asbestos.
· Include environmental and occupational health study in the medical education of all the medical colleges in Afghanistan
· Stop procurement of cancer causing asbestos based products in Afghanistan especially in the name of rehabilitation and resettlement
· Adequately compensate the victims of asbestos-related diseases, create a database of asbestos exposed people and victims as well besides providing legal and possible medical relief and taking preventive measures
I would be quite happy to share more details about the asbestos related incurable diseases.
Yours Sincerely
Gopal Krishna
Convener
Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI)
South Asian Ban Asbestos Network (SABAN)
New Delhi
Mb: 09818089660, 07739308480
E-mail:krishna2777@gmail.com
Blog:banasbestosindia.blogspot.com
Web: www.toxicswatch.com
Cc
Prof (Dr) Arthur Frank, Professor, Chair: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, US,
Dr Aleck Farquhar, Managing Director, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Canada,
Professor Elihu D Richter MD MPH, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Israel
Dr Yael Stein, MD, Unit of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hebrew University, Israel
Dr Lyle Hargrove, Chairperson, Occupational Clinics for Ontario Workers, Canada
Prof (Dr) Qamar Rahman, Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, India & former Deputy Director, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, India
Dr. T.K. Joshi, Fellow, Collegium Ramazzini, Italy
Dr Barry Castleman, Author, Asbestos: Medical and Legal Aspects
Prof. (Dr) Sanjay Chaturvedi, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi
Mr Mohammad Faheem Dashty, Editor-in-Chief, Kabul Weekly
Mr Abdul Khaliq Fazal, former Minister of Public Works, Government of Afghanistan
Dr. James C. Dabhi, visiting Professor, Herat and Bamiyan Universities, Afghanistan
Mr Shaukat Zamani, Founder, Help Afghan Education, Afghanistan
Mr Sharif Ghalib, President, Canadian Afghan Council
Dr. Assem Akram, Author, Modern Afghan History
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Stop Killer Asbestos Fiber based Plants in Sri Lanka
To
His Excellency
President Mahinda Rajapaksa
Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Colombo
Subject-Stop Killer Asbestos Fiber based Plants in Sri Lanka
Sir,
I wish to draw your attention towards the news item "Committee to assess asbestos hazards" (13 May, 2011, Daily News), online petition seeking "Ban Use Of Lung Cancer Causing Asbestos in Sri Lanka and SARC Nations" endorsed by 113 people and "news item "BOI venture with Sigiri Roofings "published Daily News (7 August, 2009) and the misinformation campaigns like "Asbestos roofing sheet industry rejects "cancer causing" fears". I also seek your attention towards the resolutions of WHO and ILO seeking elimination of future use of all forms of asbestos passed in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
I welcome the possibility of Sri Lanka becoming the second Asian country after Japan to ban asbestos of all kinds after the consideration by Erudite Committee led by Dr Charitha Herath, Chairman, Central Environment Authority (CEA) of the world trends to abandon the use of asbestos due to their confirmed negative impacts and its prohibition in most of the industrialzed countries. This message is copied to globally recognised experts on enviro-occupational health effects of asbestos exposures in the health, medical and legal fields.
On behalf of South Asian Ban Asbestos Network (SABAN)and Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI), I appreciate the formation of the Erudite Committee to ascertain the incurable diseases caused by asbestos in the aftermath of the verdict of ILO, WHO and WTO Appellate Body against the killer fibers of asbestos. Most of the northern countries have banned asbestos. It is high time Southern countries followed the path shown by Japan by taking steps to make their countries asbestos free.
It is well established in the medical community that asbestos is a carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer since early 1950s. It was absolutely established that asbestos is a carcinogen by 1965. Despite this companies like Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) that caused world's worst industrial disaster in Bhopal, India and members of Chrysotile Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (CACPMA), Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (ASCMA) have been playing word games avoided telling their customers that asbestos was a carcinogen. The same is being done by Shri S.A. Bhimaraja, Chairman, Tamil Nadu based Nibhi Industries (Pvt) Ltd, formerly Vice-Chairman Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association of India (ASCMA) and formerly President, Ramco Industries. Industrialists like Shri Bhimaraja ignore Indian Environment Ministry’s 19 page Vision Statement on Environment and Human Health (Para 4.3.1, page 12) which reads: “Alternatives to asbestos may be used to the extent possible and use of asbestos may be phased out” and the fact that mining of asbestos is banned in India on health grounds besides ban on trade in asbestos waste (dust and fibers). This statement is available on Ministry’s website. Although it is quite ironical and sad that India is yet to ban manufacture and use of asbestos products.
I submit that Shri Bhimaraja has signed an investment agreement with Sigiri Roofings for a project to manufacture fibre roofing sheets and accessories by setting up a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant at Tharawilluwa, Battulu Oya in the Puttalam district. It likely to help manufacture around 7,500 metric tons monthly and its commercial operation was to commence in March 2010. The fact is that the fiber roofing sheets will be manufactured by using asbestos fibers which is banned in over 55 countries. I am aware of Shri Bhimaraja's asbestos factory in Gidha village, Bhojpur, Bihar, India that is facing villagers opposition.
I submit that there is global awareness about the adverse effects of asbestos fibers. It affects everyone from the person mining it to the ultimate consumer. Clinical reports show that asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer can show up even 25 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos.
I submit that like elsewhere, in our country too, all cases of mesothelioma, an aggressive asbestos-related cancer are linked to asbestos exposure. All the medical colleges in India must teach that most cases of mesothelioma are related to enviro-occupational asbestos exposure that often occurred decades earlier in industries heavily dependent on asbestos-based products. These industries include construction, automobile repair and shipbuilding.
It is a glaring fact that the members of Chrysotile Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (CACPMA), Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (ASCMA) and other industries based on killer fibers of asbestos are knowingly exposing workers, their families and consumers.
While the medical and financial relief (compensation) for the illness of workers, their families and consumers must be borne by the companies in question, in South Asia because of political patronage members of both CACPMA, ASCMA and others have escaped liability and have not been made accountable for deaths and diseases being caused by their products.
I submit that there are many factors that influence a person’s life expectancy. Mesothelioma, a asbestos related incurable disease is typically diagnosed in the late stages because it displays no serious symptoms before then. When diagnosed in the late stages, the average life expectancy is 8 months.
I submit that your government must identify and assist those who suffer from mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases because they have the right to pursue financial compensation besides providing free legal consultation to present and potential victims and their families.
I submit that in an order dated January 21, 201, Hon’ble Supreme Court’s bench of Chief Justice of India Justice S.H. Kapadia, Justice K.S. Panicker Radhakrishnan and Justice Swatanter Kumar has observed in para 15, “the Government has already presented the Bill in Rajya Sabha. The statement of objects and reasons of this Bill specifically notices that the white asbestos is highly carcinogenic and it has been so reported by the World Health Organisation. In India, it is imported without any restriction while even its domestic use is not preferred by the exporting countries.” Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of Parliament of India.
The Bench of Chief Justice of India notes, “Canada and Russia are the biggest exporters of white asbestos. In 2007, Canada exported 95% of the white asbestos, it mined out of which 43% was shipped to India. In view of these facts, there is an urgent need for a total ban on the import and use of white asbestos and promote the use of alternative materials. The Bill is yet to be passed but it is clearly demonstrated that the Government is required to take effective steps to prevent hazardous impact of use of asbestos.”
I wish to inform you that the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a new factsheet on asbestos:http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs343/en/index.html It re-iterates that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related
diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos and specifically states that its strategy is particularly targeted at countries still using chrysotile asbestos. The factsheet notes that “more than 107 000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis resulting from occupational exposure.”
I submit that the work of WHO and International Labour Organization (ILO) must be taken cognisance of by your Government in its efforts towards elimination of asbestos-related diseases “by recognizing that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos and by providing information about solutions for replacing asbestos with safer substitutes and developing economic and technological mechanisms to stimulate its replacement.”
I wish to draw your attention towards the New Delhi Declaration Seeking Elimination of cancer causing all forms of asbestos including Chrysotile from India which was adopted and endorsed by eminent scientists and doctors on 24th March, 2011. This happened at a Round Table which was organized immediately after the conclusion of International Conference on "Emerging Trends in Preventing Occupational Respiratory Diseases and Cancers in Workplace" at Maulana Azad Medical College, India that expressed grave concern about asbestos related diseases like lung cancer in the national capital.
The delegates at the Round Table discussed the asbestos policies in South Asia. These delegates shared their views and gave their valuable hand written notes so that it can be used in a credible way while strongly recommending the need for immediate ban on asbestos.
I wish to submit that during a visit to New Delhi in March 2011, Dr Alec Farquhar, Managing Director, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Canada said, “We now have around 500 asbestos cancer cases every year in Ontario from a population of 13 million. In Ontario, we learned that safe use of asbestos is impossible. I urge you from the bottom of my heart, please do not make the same mistake as we made in Canada. Stop using asbestos and use a safe alternative.” The situation in Sri Lanka with a population of about 20 million is bound to be worse.
I submit that Professor Elihu D Richter MD MPH, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Israel said, “All form of asbestos kill.” Prof. Richter too was in New Delhi in March 2011.
It must be noted that “...there is no question that science has shown that Chrysotile causes asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. This is the conclusion of World Health Organisation. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, and other organizations that have no biases except for protecting people’s health,” said Prof. Arthur L Frank, MD, PhD, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, US. He has 40 years of experience in dealing with asbestos diseases and he was in India to make a presentation at an International Conference on Occupational Health.
I submit that Collegium Ramazzini, a Italy based independent, international academy founded in 1982 by Irving J. Selikoff, Cesare Maltoni and other eminent scientists has called for the elimination asbestos of all kinds.
Presenting her views, Prof (Dr) Qamar Rahman, fellow of National Academy of Sciences, Dean, Integral University, Lucknow & former Deputy Director, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow asserted, “The asbestos fibers will be the cause of exposure to our coming generations.” This merits your immediate attention.
It may noted that the conference was organised by Centre for Occupational Health, New Delhi supported by Union Ministry of Labour & Employment, ESI, DGMS and DGFASL in collaboration with Drexel University, US at Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi from 22-24 March, 2011.
The conference was deeply concerned about asbestos related diseases and the alarming rise of asbestos.
I also wish to draw your attention 5th Conference of the Parties (COP5) to the UN's Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade to be in Geneva wherein the fate of Chrysotile asbestos and some other chemicals will be be decided. The objective of the Rotterdam Convention “is to promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among Parties in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment from potential harm.”
In order to meet its objective, COP5 of Rotterdam Convention will consider the inclusion in Annex III of chrysotile asbestos under agenda item 5 c during the meeting scheduled for June 20-24, 2011.
It is noteworthy that the inclusion in Annex III does not equate to a prohibition of trade. It imposes requirements on exporting nations to provide basic information to consumers and customers environmental health hazards due to certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade.
I wish to inform you that there has been several attempts to include chrysotile asbestos (White Asbestos) on the prior informed consent list have failed due to the influence of asbestos producing countries who are compelled by their companies led by Quebec based Canadian companies who have succeeded in preventing any action on chrysotile asbestos being taken.
I submit that discussions on chrysotile asbestos at the COP 4 of Rotterdam Convention in 2008 took a decision to examine its listing at COP5 in June 2011. It is well known around the world that asbestos is hazardous to human health, and that there is no such thing as “safe use” of asbestos, just like there is no “safe cigarette”. It would do better to aim for growth through development of safe industries, and to lower the prices of substitutes, rather than promote use of this hazardous substance, opined Dr Yael Stein, MD, Unit of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hebrew University, Israel. This clearly underlines that white asbestos or chrysotile asbestos is a health hazard which is essentially what COP5 is to decide in Geneva.
In such a backdrop, in short, I request you to recommend steps on the following points:
· Urge Government of Sri Lanka to Support Listing of Chrysotile (White Asbestos) in the PIC List of Rotterdam Convention
· Deny Consent to Establish to hazardous asbestos factory units in Sri Lanka
· Create a Registry of Incurable Lung Cancers and Mesothelioma besides a registry of asbestos related diseases
· Start efforts to decontaminate asbestos laden buildings including schools and hospitals
· Create a building registry of those buildings and products which have asbestos.
· Include environmental and occupational health study in the medical education of all the medical colleges in Sri Lanka
· Stop procurement of cancer causing asbestos based products in Sri Lanka
· Adequately compensate the victims of asbestos-related diseases, create a database of asbestos exposed people and victims as well besides providing legal and possible medical relief and taking preventive measures
I would be quite happy to share more details about the asbestos related incurable diseases.
Yours Sincerely
Gopal Krishna
Convener
Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI)
South Asian Ban Asbestos Network (SABAN)
New Delhi
Mb: 09818089660, 07739308480
E-mail:krishna2777@gmail.com
Blog:banasbestosindia.blogspot.com
Web: www.toxicswatch.com
Cc
Prime Minister's Office, Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Ministry of Labour Relations, Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Dr Charitha Herath, Chairman, Central Environment Authority (CEA), Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Dr. Hemantha D. Wickramatillake, Fellow , Collegium Ramazzini, Italy
Dr C. K. Shanmugarajah, Director, Env. & Occupational Health, Ministry of Health, Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Dr Shelton Chandrasiri, Provincial Director of Health Services, Uva Province, Sri Lanka
Dr Nida Besbelli, International Programme on Chemical Safety (PHE/PCS), WHO HQ, Geneva
Dr Kalpana Balakrishnan, Associate Professor & Head, Environmental Engineering Cell, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai, India
Dr Gerry Eijkemans, Occupational Health Programme, WHO HQ, Geneva
Dr Cherian Varghese, NPO, Office of WR-India
Prof (Dr) Arthur Frank, Professor, Chair: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, US,
Dr Aleck Farquhar, Managing Director, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Canada,
Professor Elihu D Richter MD MPH, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Israel
Dr Yael Stein, MD, Unit of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hebrew University, Israel
Dr Lyle Hargrove, Chairperson, Occupational Clinics for Ontario Workers, Canada
Prof (Dr) Qamar Rahman, Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, India & former Deputy Director, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, India
Dr. T.K. Joshi, Fellow, Collegium Ramazzini, Italy
Dr Barry Castleman, Author, Asbestos: Medical and Legal Aspects
Prof. (Dr) Sanjay Chaturvedi, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
Editor-in-Chief, Daily News, Sri Lanka
His Excellency
President Mahinda Rajapaksa
Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Colombo
Subject-Stop Killer Asbestos Fiber based Plants in Sri Lanka
Sir,
I wish to draw your attention towards the news item "Committee to assess asbestos hazards" (13 May, 2011, Daily News), online petition seeking "Ban Use Of Lung Cancer Causing Asbestos in Sri Lanka and SARC Nations" endorsed by 113 people and "news item "BOI venture with Sigiri Roofings "published Daily News (7 August, 2009) and the misinformation campaigns like "Asbestos roofing sheet industry rejects "cancer causing" fears". I also seek your attention towards the resolutions of WHO and ILO seeking elimination of future use of all forms of asbestos passed in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
I welcome the possibility of Sri Lanka becoming the second Asian country after Japan to ban asbestos of all kinds after the consideration by Erudite Committee led by Dr Charitha Herath, Chairman, Central Environment Authority (CEA) of the world trends to abandon the use of asbestos due to their confirmed negative impacts and its prohibition in most of the industrialzed countries. This message is copied to globally recognised experts on enviro-occupational health effects of asbestos exposures in the health, medical and legal fields.
On behalf of South Asian Ban Asbestos Network (SABAN)and Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI), I appreciate the formation of the Erudite Committee to ascertain the incurable diseases caused by asbestos in the aftermath of the verdict of ILO, WHO and WTO Appellate Body against the killer fibers of asbestos. Most of the northern countries have banned asbestos. It is high time Southern countries followed the path shown by Japan by taking steps to make their countries asbestos free.
It is well established in the medical community that asbestos is a carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer since early 1950s. It was absolutely established that asbestos is a carcinogen by 1965. Despite this companies like Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) that caused world's worst industrial disaster in Bhopal, India and members of Chrysotile Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (CACPMA), Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (ASCMA) have been playing word games avoided telling their customers that asbestos was a carcinogen. The same is being done by Shri S.A. Bhimaraja, Chairman, Tamil Nadu based Nibhi Industries (Pvt) Ltd, formerly Vice-Chairman Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association of India (ASCMA) and formerly President, Ramco Industries. Industrialists like Shri Bhimaraja ignore Indian Environment Ministry’s 19 page Vision Statement on Environment and Human Health (Para 4.3.1, page 12) which reads: “Alternatives to asbestos may be used to the extent possible and use of asbestos may be phased out” and the fact that mining of asbestos is banned in India on health grounds besides ban on trade in asbestos waste (dust and fibers). This statement is available on Ministry’s website. Although it is quite ironical and sad that India is yet to ban manufacture and use of asbestos products.
I submit that Shri Bhimaraja has signed an investment agreement with Sigiri Roofings for a project to manufacture fibre roofing sheets and accessories by setting up a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant at Tharawilluwa, Battulu Oya in the Puttalam district. It likely to help manufacture around 7,500 metric tons monthly and its commercial operation was to commence in March 2010. The fact is that the fiber roofing sheets will be manufactured by using asbestos fibers which is banned in over 55 countries. I am aware of Shri Bhimaraja's asbestos factory in Gidha village, Bhojpur, Bihar, India that is facing villagers opposition.
I submit that there is global awareness about the adverse effects of asbestos fibers. It affects everyone from the person mining it to the ultimate consumer. Clinical reports show that asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer can show up even 25 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos.
I submit that like elsewhere, in our country too, all cases of mesothelioma, an aggressive asbestos-related cancer are linked to asbestos exposure. All the medical colleges in India must teach that most cases of mesothelioma are related to enviro-occupational asbestos exposure that often occurred decades earlier in industries heavily dependent on asbestos-based products. These industries include construction, automobile repair and shipbuilding.
It is a glaring fact that the members of Chrysotile Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (CACPMA), Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (ASCMA) and other industries based on killer fibers of asbestos are knowingly exposing workers, their families and consumers.
While the medical and financial relief (compensation) for the illness of workers, their families and consumers must be borne by the companies in question, in South Asia because of political patronage members of both CACPMA, ASCMA and others have escaped liability and have not been made accountable for deaths and diseases being caused by their products.
I submit that there are many factors that influence a person’s life expectancy. Mesothelioma, a asbestos related incurable disease is typically diagnosed in the late stages because it displays no serious symptoms before then. When diagnosed in the late stages, the average life expectancy is 8 months.
I submit that your government must identify and assist those who suffer from mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases because they have the right to pursue financial compensation besides providing free legal consultation to present and potential victims and their families.
I submit that in an order dated January 21, 201, Hon’ble Supreme Court’s bench of Chief Justice of India Justice S.H. Kapadia, Justice K.S. Panicker Radhakrishnan and Justice Swatanter Kumar has observed in para 15, “the Government has already presented the Bill in Rajya Sabha. The statement of objects and reasons of this Bill specifically notices that the white asbestos is highly carcinogenic and it has been so reported by the World Health Organisation. In India, it is imported without any restriction while even its domestic use is not preferred by the exporting countries.” Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of Parliament of India.
The Bench of Chief Justice of India notes, “Canada and Russia are the biggest exporters of white asbestos. In 2007, Canada exported 95% of the white asbestos, it mined out of which 43% was shipped to India. In view of these facts, there is an urgent need for a total ban on the import and use of white asbestos and promote the use of alternative materials. The Bill is yet to be passed but it is clearly demonstrated that the Government is required to take effective steps to prevent hazardous impact of use of asbestos.”
I wish to inform you that the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a new factsheet on asbestos:http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs343/en/index.html It re-iterates that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related
diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos and specifically states that its strategy is particularly targeted at countries still using chrysotile asbestos. The factsheet notes that “more than 107 000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis resulting from occupational exposure.”
I submit that the work of WHO and International Labour Organization (ILO) must be taken cognisance of by your Government in its efforts towards elimination of asbestos-related diseases “by recognizing that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos and by providing information about solutions for replacing asbestos with safer substitutes and developing economic and technological mechanisms to stimulate its replacement.”
I wish to draw your attention towards the New Delhi Declaration Seeking Elimination of cancer causing all forms of asbestos including Chrysotile from India which was adopted and endorsed by eminent scientists and doctors on 24th March, 2011. This happened at a Round Table which was organized immediately after the conclusion of International Conference on "Emerging Trends in Preventing Occupational Respiratory Diseases and Cancers in Workplace" at Maulana Azad Medical College, India that expressed grave concern about asbestos related diseases like lung cancer in the national capital.
The delegates at the Round Table discussed the asbestos policies in South Asia. These delegates shared their views and gave their valuable hand written notes so that it can be used in a credible way while strongly recommending the need for immediate ban on asbestos.
I wish to submit that during a visit to New Delhi in March 2011, Dr Alec Farquhar, Managing Director, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Canada said, “We now have around 500 asbestos cancer cases every year in Ontario from a population of 13 million. In Ontario, we learned that safe use of asbestos is impossible. I urge you from the bottom of my heart, please do not make the same mistake as we made in Canada. Stop using asbestos and use a safe alternative.” The situation in Sri Lanka with a population of about 20 million is bound to be worse.
I submit that Professor Elihu D Richter MD MPH, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Israel said, “All form of asbestos kill.” Prof. Richter too was in New Delhi in March 2011.
It must be noted that “...there is no question that science has shown that Chrysotile causes asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. This is the conclusion of World Health Organisation. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, and other organizations that have no biases except for protecting people’s health,” said Prof. Arthur L Frank, MD, PhD, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, US. He has 40 years of experience in dealing with asbestos diseases and he was in India to make a presentation at an International Conference on Occupational Health.
I submit that Collegium Ramazzini, a Italy based independent, international academy founded in 1982 by Irving J. Selikoff, Cesare Maltoni and other eminent scientists has called for the elimination asbestos of all kinds.
Presenting her views, Prof (Dr) Qamar Rahman, fellow of National Academy of Sciences, Dean, Integral University, Lucknow & former Deputy Director, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow asserted, “The asbestos fibers will be the cause of exposure to our coming generations.” This merits your immediate attention.
It may noted that the conference was organised by Centre for Occupational Health, New Delhi supported by Union Ministry of Labour & Employment, ESI, DGMS and DGFASL in collaboration with Drexel University, US at Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi from 22-24 March, 2011.
The conference was deeply concerned about asbestos related diseases and the alarming rise of asbestos.
I also wish to draw your attention 5th Conference of the Parties (COP5) to the UN's Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade to be in Geneva wherein the fate of Chrysotile asbestos and some other chemicals will be be decided. The objective of the Rotterdam Convention “is to promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among Parties in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment from potential harm.”
In order to meet its objective, COP5 of Rotterdam Convention will consider the inclusion in Annex III of chrysotile asbestos under agenda item 5 c during the meeting scheduled for June 20-24, 2011.
It is noteworthy that the inclusion in Annex III does not equate to a prohibition of trade. It imposes requirements on exporting nations to provide basic information to consumers and customers environmental health hazards due to certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade.
I wish to inform you that there has been several attempts to include chrysotile asbestos (White Asbestos) on the prior informed consent list have failed due to the influence of asbestos producing countries who are compelled by their companies led by Quebec based Canadian companies who have succeeded in preventing any action on chrysotile asbestos being taken.
I submit that discussions on chrysotile asbestos at the COP 4 of Rotterdam Convention in 2008 took a decision to examine its listing at COP5 in June 2011. It is well known around the world that asbestos is hazardous to human health, and that there is no such thing as “safe use” of asbestos, just like there is no “safe cigarette”. It would do better to aim for growth through development of safe industries, and to lower the prices of substitutes, rather than promote use of this hazardous substance, opined Dr Yael Stein, MD, Unit of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hebrew University, Israel. This clearly underlines that white asbestos or chrysotile asbestos is a health hazard which is essentially what COP5 is to decide in Geneva.
In such a backdrop, in short, I request you to recommend steps on the following points:
· Urge Government of Sri Lanka to Support Listing of Chrysotile (White Asbestos) in the PIC List of Rotterdam Convention
· Deny Consent to Establish to hazardous asbestos factory units in Sri Lanka
· Create a Registry of Incurable Lung Cancers and Mesothelioma besides a registry of asbestos related diseases
· Start efforts to decontaminate asbestos laden buildings including schools and hospitals
· Create a building registry of those buildings and products which have asbestos.
· Include environmental and occupational health study in the medical education of all the medical colleges in Sri Lanka
· Stop procurement of cancer causing asbestos based products in Sri Lanka
· Adequately compensate the victims of asbestos-related diseases, create a database of asbestos exposed people and victims as well besides providing legal and possible medical relief and taking preventive measures
I would be quite happy to share more details about the asbestos related incurable diseases.
Yours Sincerely
Gopal Krishna
Convener
Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI)
South Asian Ban Asbestos Network (SABAN)
New Delhi
Mb: 09818089660, 07739308480
E-mail:krishna2777@gmail.com
Blog:banasbestosindia.blogspot.com
Web: www.toxicswatch.com
Cc
Prime Minister's Office, Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Ministry of Labour Relations, Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Dr Charitha Herath, Chairman, Central Environment Authority (CEA), Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Dr. Hemantha D. Wickramatillake, Fellow , Collegium Ramazzini, Italy
Dr C. K. Shanmugarajah, Director, Env. & Occupational Health, Ministry of Health, Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Dr Shelton Chandrasiri, Provincial Director of Health Services, Uva Province, Sri Lanka
Dr Nida Besbelli, International Programme on Chemical Safety (PHE/PCS), WHO HQ, Geneva
Dr Kalpana Balakrishnan, Associate Professor & Head, Environmental Engineering Cell, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai, India
Dr Gerry Eijkemans, Occupational Health Programme, WHO HQ, Geneva
Dr Cherian Varghese, NPO, Office of WR-India
Prof (Dr) Arthur Frank, Professor, Chair: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, US,
Dr Aleck Farquhar, Managing Director, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Canada,
Professor Elihu D Richter MD MPH, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Israel
Dr Yael Stein, MD, Unit of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hebrew University, Israel
Dr Lyle Hargrove, Chairperson, Occupational Clinics for Ontario Workers, Canada
Prof (Dr) Qamar Rahman, Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, India & former Deputy Director, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, India
Dr. T.K. Joshi, Fellow, Collegium Ramazzini, Italy
Dr Barry Castleman, Author, Asbestos: Medical and Legal Aspects
Prof. (Dr) Sanjay Chaturvedi, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
Editor-in-Chief, Daily News, Sri Lanka
Environment Ministry’s Vision Statement for Asbestos Phase Out
To
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
Government of India
New Delhi
Date: 13/5/2011
Through Union Cabinet Secretary
Subject-Environment Ministry’s Vision Statement on Environment & Human Health Seeks Asbestos Phase Out
Sir,
This is to draw your attention towards the Union Environment Ministry’s 19 page Vision Statement on Environment and Human Health (Para 4.3.1) on page 12 which reads: “Alternatives to asbestos may be used to the extent possible and use of asbestos may be phased out”. This is available on Ministry’s website.
I wish to inform you that Kerala Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has recommended ban on use of asbestos roofs for schools and hospitals and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has termed exposing human beings to asbestos fibers as human rights violation. The KHRC and its chairperson Justice N Dhinakar 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, KHRC ruled that the government should take steps to phase out asbestos roofing from all schools in the state. The commission has directed the state government to replace the asbestos roofs of those school buildings under the government control with country tiles in a phased manner. The government has been directed to initiate measures to ensure that asbestos roofs are replaced with country tiles within a fixed time-frame in the case of schools that are run under the private managements. The state government has been directed to make sure that no new school begins functioning with asbestos roofing in the future. The petition submitted to the commission complained that roofing school buildings with asbestos were hazardous to the health of children.
I am making this submission in pursuance of the order of Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 24th October, 2008 wherein prohibition on import of Asbestos into India as it is a major health hazard was sought. According to the petitioner, huge quantity of Asbestos is being imported from other countries causing health problems. The Hon’ble Court asked the matter to be pursued with the Government/appropriate authority.
I wish to draw your attention towards the 5th Conference of the Parties (COP5) to the UN’s Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade to be in Geneva wherein the fate of Endosulfan, Chrysotile asbestos and some other chemicals will be be decided. The objective of the Rotterdam Convention “is to promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among Parties in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment from potential harm.”
In order to meet its objective, COP5 of Rotterdam Convention will consider the inclusion in Annex III of chrysotile asbestos, Endosulfan, Alachlor and Aldicarb under agenda item 5 c during the meeting scheduled for June 20-24, 2011.
It is noteworthy that the inclusion in Annex III does not equate to a prohibition of trade. It imposes requirements on exporting nations to provide basic information to consumers and customers environmental health hazards due to certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade.
I wish to inform you that there has been several attempts to include chrysotile asbestos (White Asbestos) on the prior informed consent list have failed due to the influence of asbestos producing countries who are compelled by their companies led by Quebec based Canadian companies who have succeeded in preventing any action on chrysotile asbestos being taken.
I submit that discussions on chrysotile asbestos at the COP 4 of Rotterdam Convention in 2008 took a decision to examine its listing at COP5 in June 2011.
In a statement Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare had informed the Rajya Sabha saying: “Studies by the National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, have shown that long-term exposure to any type of asbestos can lead to the development of asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma” on August 18, 2003.
This clearly implies that white asbestos or Chrysotile asbestos is a health hazard which is essentially what COP5 is to decide in Geneva. As you are aware White asbestos or Chrysotile asbestos is used mainly for water pipes or as roofing sheets in construction industry. Asbestos dust can be inhaled while drilling, cutting a pipe, repairing, renovating or demolishing a building and its effects are far-reaching, affecting everyone from the person mining it to the ultimate consumer. Clinical reports show that asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer can show up even 25 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos.
I submit that like elsewhere, in our country too, all cases of mesothelioma, an aggressive asbestos-related cancer are linked to asbestos exposure. All the medical colleges in India must teach that most cases of mesothelioma are related to enviro-occupational asbestos exposure that often occurred decades earlier in industries heavily dependent on asbestos-based products. These industries include construction, automobile repair and shipbuilding.
It is a glaring fact that the members of Chrysotile Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (CACPMA), Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association of India (ASCMA) and other industries based on killer fibers of asbestos are knowingly exposing workers, their families and consumers.
While the medical and financial relief (compensation) for the illness of workers, their families and consumers must be borne by the companies in question, in India because of political patronage members of both CACPMA, ASCMA and others have escaped liability and have not been made accountable.
I submit that Ministry of Health and Ministry of Law should work in tandem to provide assistance to make asbestos victims and their families so that they or their children or parents can decide to pursue legal action against the companies responsible for making them incurably sick.
I submit that Ministry of Defence must also be alerted by both Ministry of Health and Ministry of Law against those industrial workers who served in the military to help, build and defend the country, and now they are now at risk of developing asbestos related diseases like mesothelioma.
I submit that there are many factors that influence a person’s life expectancy. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed in the late stages because it displays no serious symptoms before then. When diagnosed in the late stages, the average life expectancy is 8 months.
I submit that there is currently no cure for the cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The Union Ministry of Health, Justice and Defence besides the State governments must identify and assist those who suffer from mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases because they have the right to pursue financial compensation. Both the state and central government agencies must provide free legal consultation to present and potential victims and their families.
I also seek your urgent intervention to stop the three asbestos plants in Bhojpur district in Bihar. These three asbestos plants are proposed by Tamil Nadu based companies Ramco Industries and Nibhi Industries. The former is setting up two plants and the latter is setting up one plant. Besides giving several representations, letters and personal interactions with the officials and ministers there isn’t any progress to stop it.
I submit that the asbestos plant in Muzaffarpur district has been stopped temporarily after police firing and lathi charge against the protestors. We are demanding permanent stay. We marched on the streets of Patna, the state capital and as part of a delegation I gave submission for the Chief Minister, Bihar. Following which an inquiry is underway by Secretary, Industry Dept, Government of Bihar. It would be relevant that the scope of the inquiry is expanded to include the three asbestos plants of Bhojpur and to summon expert testimonies from WHO, ILO and those 55 countries that have banned asbestos including white asbestos.
I do comprehend that it is for the Union Commerce Ministry and Finance ministry to take a decision on ban this killer fiber at the central level but health being a state subject, the State Government does have the right to ban asbestos plants and products, the way Kerala and Karnataka has done in the case of Endosulfan .
In such a backdrop, I submit that in an order dated January 21, 201, Hon’ble Supreme Court’s bench of Chief Justice of India Justice S.H. Kapadia, Justice K.S. Panicker Radhakrishnan and Justice Swatanter Kumar has observed, “Canada and Russia are the biggest exporters of white asbestos. In 2007, Canada exported 95% of the white asbestos, it mined out of which 43% was shipped to India. In view of these facts, there is an urgent need for a total ban on the import and use of white asbestos and promote the use of alternative materials.” This simply reiterates what is stated in Union Environment Ministry’s Vision Statement on Environment and Human Health which reads: “Alternatives to asbestos may be used to the extent possible and use of asbestos may be phased out”.
I wish to inform you that the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a new factsheet on asbestos:http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs343/en/index.html It re-iterates that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos and specifically states that its strategy is particularly targeted at countries still using chrysotile asbestos. The factsheet notes that “more than 107 000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis resulting from occupational exposure.”
I submit that the work of WHO and International Labour Organization (ILO) must be taken cognisance of by Central Government and states like Bihar in their efforts towards elimination of asbestos-related diseases “by recognizing that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos and by providing information about solutions for replacing asbestos with safer substitutes and developing economic and technological mechanisms to stimulate its replacement.”
I wish to draw your attention towards the New Delhi Declaration Seeking Elimination of cancer causing all forms of asbestos including Chrysotile from India which was adopted and endorsed by eminent scientists and doctors on 24th March, 2011. This happened at a Round Table which was organized immediately after the conclusion of International Conference on “Emerging Trends in Preventing Occupational Respiratory Diseases and Cancers in Workplace” at Maulana Azad Medical College that expressed grave concern about asbestos related diseases like lung cancer in the national capital.
The Declaration is given below for your perusal and immediate consideration.
The delegates at the Round Table discussed the asbestos policy of the central government and Bihar government. These delegates shared their views and gave their valuable hand written notes so that it can be used in a credible way while strongly recommending the need for immediate ban on asbestos to Government of India, State Governments and the relevant ministries.
I wish to submit that during a visit to New Delhi in March 2011, Dr Alec Farquhar, Managing Director, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Canada said, “We now have around 500 asbestos cancer cases every year in Ontario from a population of 13 million. If you (India) continue on your current path, you will multiply our death count by 100 times. That would be 50, 000 Indian workers dying every year from asbestos. In Ontario, we learned that safe use of asbestos is impossible. I urge you from the bottom of my heart, please do not make the same mistake as we made in Canada. Stop using asbestos and use a safe alternative.”
I submit that Professor Elihu D Richter MD MPH, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Israel said, “All form of asbestos kill. India should bury asbestos, not people. Here is a case for examining whether those countries which export asbestos to India are committing a crime against humanity, because they are engaging in willful neglect. India should not repeat the mistakes of going back some 70 years which will kill tens of thousands of workers and their families.” Prof. Richter too was in New Delhi in March 2011.
It must be noted that “No matter what mis-information comes of Canada or the Indian asbestos industry about Chrysotile, there is no question that science has shown that Chrysotile causes asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. This is the conclusion of World Health Organisation. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, and other organizations that have no biases except for protecting people’s health,” said Prof. Arthur L Frank, MD, PhD, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, US. He has 40 years of experience in dealing with asbestos diseases and he was in India to make a presentation at an International Conference on Occupational Health.
I submit that Collegium Ramazzini, a Italy based independent, international academy founded in 1982 by Irving J. Selikoff, Cesare Maltoni and other eminent scientists has called for the elimination asbestos of all kinds.
Presenting her views, Prof (Dr) Qamar Rahman, fellow of National Academy of Sciences, Dean, Integral University, Lucknow & former Deputy Director, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow asserted, “This is high time that Government of India should ban the use of asbestos in India. It has been proven scientifically that asbestos based articles such as roof ceilings, storage tanks will release fibers. The asbestos fibers will be the cause of exposure to our coming generations.” This merits your immediate attention.
It may noted that the conference was organised by Centre for Occupational Health, New Delhi supported by Union Ministry of Labour & Employment, ESI, DGMS and DGFASL in collaboration with Drexel University, US at Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi from 22-24 March, 2011.
The conference was deeply concerned about asbestos related diseases and the alarming rise of asbestos in India.
In such a backdrop, in short, I request you to recommend steps on the following points:
· Urge Government of India to Support Listing of Chrysotile (White Asbestos) in the PIC List of Rotterdam Convention and do not grant environmental clearance to the proposed asbestos sheet plants
· Deny Consent to Establish to this hazardous asbestos factory units
· Create a Registry of Incurable Lung Cancers and Mesothelioma besides a registry of asbestos related diseases
· Start efforts to decontaminate asbestos laden buildings including schools and hospitals
· Create a building registry of those buildings and products which have asbestos.
· Include environmental and occupational health study in the medical education of all the medical colleges in the states and in the whole country
· Stop procurement of cancer causing asbestos based products in Bihar in particular and in the whole country in general
· Adequately compensate the victims of asbestos-related diseases, create a database of asbestos exposed people and victims as well besides providing legal and possible medical relief and taking preventive measures
I would be quite happy to share more details about the asbestos related incurable diseases.
Yours Sincerely
Gopal Krishna
Convener
Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI)
ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA)
New Delhi
Mb: 9818089660
E-mail: krishna2777@gmail.com,
Web: banasbestosindia.blogspot.com, toxicswatch.blogspot.com
Cc
Members of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister
Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of Finance
Shri Sharad Pawar, Minister of Agriculture
Shri A.K. Antony, Minister of Defence
Shri P. Chidambaram, Minister of Home Affairs
Km. Mamata Banerjee, Minister of Railways
Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, Minister of Rural Development & Minister of
Panchayati Raj
Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Minister of Health & Family Welfare
Shri Sushilkumar Shinde, Minister of Power
Shri S. Jaipal Reddy, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Human Resource Development & Minister
of Communications and Information Technology
Shri Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce & Industry
Shri C.P. Joshi, Minister of Road Transport & Highways
Special Invitees
Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission
Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry
of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Shri Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister of Environment & Forests
Shri T Chatterjee, Secretary, Union Ministry for Environment & Forests
New Delhi Declaration
Seeking Elimination of all forms of Asbestos including Chrysotile from India
Date: 24 March, 2011
Recalling the Ban Asbestos Resolution of 2002, WHO Resolution of 2005 and
ILO Resolution of 2006 seeking elimination of future use of asbestos of all
forms, in the face of massive asbestos exposure underway in India;
Taking note of The White Asbestos (Ban on Use and Import) Bill, 2009
introduced in Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Indian Parliament) and the order
of the Kerala State Human Rights Commission banning the use of asbestos in
schools;
Considering the anti asbestos movement against 12 proposed asbestos plants
in Bihar in face of massive people’s resistance;
Outraged at the Union of India’s Budget 2011-12’s callous reference to
asbestos by including it under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana to cover
‘unorganized sector workers in hazardous mining and associated industries
like asbestos etc’ and on the other hand Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister’s
Budget is allocating land for 4 new asbestos plants;
Recognising the fact that enviro-occupational health infrastructure in India
is weak or non-existent in the face of workers and consumers who are sick
and dying from asbestos-caused cancer and other related diseases;
Endorsing The STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS of The White Asbestos (Ban on
Use and Import) Bill, 2009 introduced in the Indian Parliament that reads:
“The white asbestos is highly carcinogenic even the World Health
Organisation has reported that it causes cancer. It is a rare fibrous
material that is used to make rooftops (roofing material) and break (brake)
linings. More than fifty countries have already banned the use and import of
white asbestos. Even the countries that export it to India prefer not to use
it domestically. But in our country, it is imported without any restriction.
Canada and Russia are the biggest exporters of white asbestos. In 2007,
Canada exported almost Ninety five percent of the white asbestos it mined
and out of it forty-three percent was shipped to India. It is quite
surprising that our country is openly importing huge quantity of a product,
which causes cancer. This is despite the fact that safer and almost cheap
alternatives to asbestos are available in the country. Instead of importing
a hazardous material, it will be better if we spend some money in research
and development and use environment friendly product. In view of the above,
there is an urgent need for a total ban on the import and use of white
asbestos and promote the use of alternative material.”
Appreciating Supreme Court of India’s order of 21st January, 2011 that takes
cognizance of the above mentioned Bill and the resolutions of ILO and WHO
and seeks government to take immediate preventive steps;
Taking cognizance of the human rights violation involved in exposing people
to killer asbestos fibers and how even if few asbestos fibre reach the right
places, it causes irreversible damage leading to asbestosis, lung cancer or
mesothelioma;
Considering Government of India’s role in preventing the listing of
chrysotile asbestos as a hazardous product under the Rotterdam Convention,
an International Agreement that requires that importing countries be warned
of the risks associated with hazardous products is unbecoming of a nation of
India’s stature. It is unconscionable that the government knowingly allows
trades in a killer product that will cause death of hundreds of thousands of
people in India in general and in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Bihar
and Rajasthan in particular and elsewhere in the world;
Reminding the Government of India that there is incontrovertible evidence
that creates a compelling logic for making India asbestos free;
Condemning the asbestos exporting countries liaison with the Indian asbestos
industry to which Government is turning a blind eye who have unleashed a
misinformation campaign about controlled use of asbestos products which is a
fantasy;
Disapproving Ministry of Environment & Forests Experts Appraisal Committee
on Industry for approving environmental clearance of asbestos plants;
Asserting the fact that so far some 55 countries have banned all forms of
asbestos, and are already using alternative materials;
Underlining that almost every international health agency of repute
including the World Health Organization, the International Labor
Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health, and the American Cancer Society agree there is no safe level of
asbestos exposure. Most recently, the International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC) reconfirmed that all commercial asbestos fibers – including
chrysotile, the most commercially used form of asbestos – cause lung cancer
and mesothelioma. In addition, IARC newly confirmed that there is sufficient
evidence that asbestos causes ovarian cancer and reconfirmed asbestos causes
laryngeal cancer;
We urge the Government to adequately compensate the victims of
asbestos-related diseases, create a database of asbestos exposed people and
victims as well besides providing legal and possible medical relief and
taking preventive measures. We call on the government to create a
mesothelioma registry and a building registry of those facilities which have
asbestos. We seek inclusion of environmental and occupational health study
in the medical education of all the 300 medical colleges in India
We recommend that the Government should start efforts to decontaminate
asbestos laden buildings including schools and hospitals
We express shock at the instance countries like Canada using tax-payers
money and Canadian embassies to actively promote the sale of asbestos around
the world;
We appeal to the Government of India to put a ban on export, import,
manufacturing, use and mining of all forms of asbestos including chrysotile
(white asbestos) in India.
We call upon the Government of India, State Governments in general and Bihar
Government in Particular besides Indian Ministry of Health, Ministry of
Environment, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Consumer
Affairs and Ministry of Mines to initiate steps for an immediate ban on use,
manufacture and trade of all forms of asbestos (including Chrysotile or
White Asbestos).
Endorsed by:
Prof (Dr) Arthur Frank, Professor, Chair: Department of Environmental and
Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, US, Email-
alf13@drexel.edu
Dr Aleck Farquhar, Managing Director, Occupational Health Clinics for
Ontario Workers, Canada, E-mail- afarquhar@ohcow.on.ca
Professor Elihu D Richter MD MPH, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of
Medicine, Israel, E-mail-elihudrichter@gmail.com
Dr Yael Stein, MD, Unit of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hebrew
University, Israel, E-mail- stein444@gmail.com
Dr Lyle Hargrove, Chairperson, Occupational Clinics for Ontario Workers,
Canada, E-mail- lyle.hargrove@gmail.com
Prof (Dr) Qamar Rahman, Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, India & former
Deputy Director, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow E-mail-
qamar_15@sify.com
Dr. T.K. Joshi, Fellow, Collegium Ramazzini, Italy, E-mail-kantjoshi@gmail.com
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
Government of India
New Delhi
Date: 13/5/2011
Through Union Cabinet Secretary
Subject-Environment Ministry’s Vision Statement on Environment & Human Health Seeks Asbestos Phase Out
Sir,
This is to draw your attention towards the Union Environment Ministry’s 19 page Vision Statement on Environment and Human Health (Para 4.3.1) on page 12 which reads: “Alternatives to asbestos may be used to the extent possible and use of asbestos may be phased out”. This is available on Ministry’s website.
I wish to inform you that Kerala Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has recommended ban on use of asbestos roofs for schools and hospitals and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has termed exposing human beings to asbestos fibers as human rights violation. The KHRC and its chairperson Justice N Dhinakar 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, KHRC ruled that the government should take steps to phase out asbestos roofing from all schools in the state. The commission has directed the state government to replace the asbestos roofs of those school buildings under the government control with country tiles in a phased manner. The government has been directed to initiate measures to ensure that asbestos roofs are replaced with country tiles within a fixed time-frame in the case of schools that are run under the private managements. The state government has been directed to make sure that no new school begins functioning with asbestos roofing in the future. The petition submitted to the commission complained that roofing school buildings with asbestos were hazardous to the health of children.
I am making this submission in pursuance of the order of Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 24th October, 2008 wherein prohibition on import of Asbestos into India as it is a major health hazard was sought. According to the petitioner, huge quantity of Asbestos is being imported from other countries causing health problems. The Hon’ble Court asked the matter to be pursued with the Government/appropriate authority.
I wish to draw your attention towards the 5th Conference of the Parties (COP5) to the UN’s Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade to be in Geneva wherein the fate of Endosulfan, Chrysotile asbestos and some other chemicals will be be decided. The objective of the Rotterdam Convention “is to promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among Parties in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment from potential harm.”
In order to meet its objective, COP5 of Rotterdam Convention will consider the inclusion in Annex III of chrysotile asbestos, Endosulfan, Alachlor and Aldicarb under agenda item 5 c during the meeting scheduled for June 20-24, 2011.
It is noteworthy that the inclusion in Annex III does not equate to a prohibition of trade. It imposes requirements on exporting nations to provide basic information to consumers and customers environmental health hazards due to certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade.
I wish to inform you that there has been several attempts to include chrysotile asbestos (White Asbestos) on the prior informed consent list have failed due to the influence of asbestos producing countries who are compelled by their companies led by Quebec based Canadian companies who have succeeded in preventing any action on chrysotile asbestos being taken.
I submit that discussions on chrysotile asbestos at the COP 4 of Rotterdam Convention in 2008 took a decision to examine its listing at COP5 in June 2011.
In a statement Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare had informed the Rajya Sabha saying: “Studies by the National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, have shown that long-term exposure to any type of asbestos can lead to the development of asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma” on August 18, 2003.
This clearly implies that white asbestos or Chrysotile asbestos is a health hazard which is essentially what COP5 is to decide in Geneva. As you are aware White asbestos or Chrysotile asbestos is used mainly for water pipes or as roofing sheets in construction industry. Asbestos dust can be inhaled while drilling, cutting a pipe, repairing, renovating or demolishing a building and its effects are far-reaching, affecting everyone from the person mining it to the ultimate consumer. Clinical reports show that asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer can show up even 25 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos.
I submit that like elsewhere, in our country too, all cases of mesothelioma, an aggressive asbestos-related cancer are linked to asbestos exposure. All the medical colleges in India must teach that most cases of mesothelioma are related to enviro-occupational asbestos exposure that often occurred decades earlier in industries heavily dependent on asbestos-based products. These industries include construction, automobile repair and shipbuilding.
It is a glaring fact that the members of Chrysotile Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (CACPMA), Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association of India (ASCMA) and other industries based on killer fibers of asbestos are knowingly exposing workers, their families and consumers.
While the medical and financial relief (compensation) for the illness of workers, their families and consumers must be borne by the companies in question, in India because of political patronage members of both CACPMA, ASCMA and others have escaped liability and have not been made accountable.
I submit that Ministry of Health and Ministry of Law should work in tandem to provide assistance to make asbestos victims and their families so that they or their children or parents can decide to pursue legal action against the companies responsible for making them incurably sick.
I submit that Ministry of Defence must also be alerted by both Ministry of Health and Ministry of Law against those industrial workers who served in the military to help, build and defend the country, and now they are now at risk of developing asbestos related diseases like mesothelioma.
I submit that there are many factors that influence a person’s life expectancy. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed in the late stages because it displays no serious symptoms before then. When diagnosed in the late stages, the average life expectancy is 8 months.
I submit that there is currently no cure for the cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The Union Ministry of Health, Justice and Defence besides the State governments must identify and assist those who suffer from mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases because they have the right to pursue financial compensation. Both the state and central government agencies must provide free legal consultation to present and potential victims and their families.
I also seek your urgent intervention to stop the three asbestos plants in Bhojpur district in Bihar. These three asbestos plants are proposed by Tamil Nadu based companies Ramco Industries and Nibhi Industries. The former is setting up two plants and the latter is setting up one plant. Besides giving several representations, letters and personal interactions with the officials and ministers there isn’t any progress to stop it.
I submit that the asbestos plant in Muzaffarpur district has been stopped temporarily after police firing and lathi charge against the protestors. We are demanding permanent stay. We marched on the streets of Patna, the state capital and as part of a delegation I gave submission for the Chief Minister, Bihar. Following which an inquiry is underway by Secretary, Industry Dept, Government of Bihar. It would be relevant that the scope of the inquiry is expanded to include the three asbestos plants of Bhojpur and to summon expert testimonies from WHO, ILO and those 55 countries that have banned asbestos including white asbestos.
I do comprehend that it is for the Union Commerce Ministry and Finance ministry to take a decision on ban this killer fiber at the central level but health being a state subject, the State Government does have the right to ban asbestos plants and products, the way Kerala and Karnataka has done in the case of Endosulfan .
In such a backdrop, I submit that in an order dated January 21, 201, Hon’ble Supreme Court’s bench of Chief Justice of India Justice S.H. Kapadia, Justice K.S. Panicker Radhakrishnan and Justice Swatanter Kumar has observed, “Canada and Russia are the biggest exporters of white asbestos. In 2007, Canada exported 95% of the white asbestos, it mined out of which 43% was shipped to India. In view of these facts, there is an urgent need for a total ban on the import and use of white asbestos and promote the use of alternative materials.” This simply reiterates what is stated in Union Environment Ministry’s Vision Statement on Environment and Human Health which reads: “Alternatives to asbestos may be used to the extent possible and use of asbestos may be phased out”.
I wish to inform you that the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a new factsheet on asbestos:http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs343/en/index.html It re-iterates that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos and specifically states that its strategy is particularly targeted at countries still using chrysotile asbestos. The factsheet notes that “more than 107 000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis resulting from occupational exposure.”
I submit that the work of WHO and International Labour Organization (ILO) must be taken cognisance of by Central Government and states like Bihar in their efforts towards elimination of asbestos-related diseases “by recognizing that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos and by providing information about solutions for replacing asbestos with safer substitutes and developing economic and technological mechanisms to stimulate its replacement.”
I wish to draw your attention towards the New Delhi Declaration Seeking Elimination of cancer causing all forms of asbestos including Chrysotile from India which was adopted and endorsed by eminent scientists and doctors on 24th March, 2011. This happened at a Round Table which was organized immediately after the conclusion of International Conference on “Emerging Trends in Preventing Occupational Respiratory Diseases and Cancers in Workplace” at Maulana Azad Medical College that expressed grave concern about asbestos related diseases like lung cancer in the national capital.
The Declaration is given below for your perusal and immediate consideration.
The delegates at the Round Table discussed the asbestos policy of the central government and Bihar government. These delegates shared their views and gave their valuable hand written notes so that it can be used in a credible way while strongly recommending the need for immediate ban on asbestos to Government of India, State Governments and the relevant ministries.
I wish to submit that during a visit to New Delhi in March 2011, Dr Alec Farquhar, Managing Director, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Canada said, “We now have around 500 asbestos cancer cases every year in Ontario from a population of 13 million. If you (India) continue on your current path, you will multiply our death count by 100 times. That would be 50, 000 Indian workers dying every year from asbestos. In Ontario, we learned that safe use of asbestos is impossible. I urge you from the bottom of my heart, please do not make the same mistake as we made in Canada. Stop using asbestos and use a safe alternative.”
I submit that Professor Elihu D Richter MD MPH, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Israel said, “All form of asbestos kill. India should bury asbestos, not people. Here is a case for examining whether those countries which export asbestos to India are committing a crime against humanity, because they are engaging in willful neglect. India should not repeat the mistakes of going back some 70 years which will kill tens of thousands of workers and their families.” Prof. Richter too was in New Delhi in March 2011.
It must be noted that “No matter what mis-information comes of Canada or the Indian asbestos industry about Chrysotile, there is no question that science has shown that Chrysotile causes asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. This is the conclusion of World Health Organisation. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, and other organizations that have no biases except for protecting people’s health,” said Prof. Arthur L Frank, MD, PhD, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, US. He has 40 years of experience in dealing with asbestos diseases and he was in India to make a presentation at an International Conference on Occupational Health.
I submit that Collegium Ramazzini, a Italy based independent, international academy founded in 1982 by Irving J. Selikoff, Cesare Maltoni and other eminent scientists has called for the elimination asbestos of all kinds.
Presenting her views, Prof (Dr) Qamar Rahman, fellow of National Academy of Sciences, Dean, Integral University, Lucknow & former Deputy Director, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow asserted, “This is high time that Government of India should ban the use of asbestos in India. It has been proven scientifically that asbestos based articles such as roof ceilings, storage tanks will release fibers. The asbestos fibers will be the cause of exposure to our coming generations.” This merits your immediate attention.
It may noted that the conference was organised by Centre for Occupational Health, New Delhi supported by Union Ministry of Labour & Employment, ESI, DGMS and DGFASL in collaboration with Drexel University, US at Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi from 22-24 March, 2011.
The conference was deeply concerned about asbestos related diseases and the alarming rise of asbestos in India.
In such a backdrop, in short, I request you to recommend steps on the following points:
· Urge Government of India to Support Listing of Chrysotile (White Asbestos) in the PIC List of Rotterdam Convention and do not grant environmental clearance to the proposed asbestos sheet plants
· Deny Consent to Establish to this hazardous asbestos factory units
· Create a Registry of Incurable Lung Cancers and Mesothelioma besides a registry of asbestos related diseases
· Start efforts to decontaminate asbestos laden buildings including schools and hospitals
· Create a building registry of those buildings and products which have asbestos.
· Include environmental and occupational health study in the medical education of all the medical colleges in the states and in the whole country
· Stop procurement of cancer causing asbestos based products in Bihar in particular and in the whole country in general
· Adequately compensate the victims of asbestos-related diseases, create a database of asbestos exposed people and victims as well besides providing legal and possible medical relief and taking preventive measures
I would be quite happy to share more details about the asbestos related incurable diseases.
Yours Sincerely
Gopal Krishna
Convener
Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI)
ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA)
New Delhi
Mb: 9818089660
E-mail: krishna2777@gmail.com,
Web: banasbestosindia.blogspot.com, toxicswatch.blogspot.com
Cc
Members of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister
Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of Finance
Shri Sharad Pawar, Minister of Agriculture
Shri A.K. Antony, Minister of Defence
Shri P. Chidambaram, Minister of Home Affairs
Km. Mamata Banerjee, Minister of Railways
Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, Minister of Rural Development & Minister of
Panchayati Raj
Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Minister of Health & Family Welfare
Shri Sushilkumar Shinde, Minister of Power
Shri S. Jaipal Reddy, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Human Resource Development & Minister
of Communications and Information Technology
Shri Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce & Industry
Shri C.P. Joshi, Minister of Road Transport & Highways
Special Invitees
Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission
Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry
of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Shri Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister of Environment & Forests
Shri T Chatterjee, Secretary, Union Ministry for Environment & Forests
New Delhi Declaration
Seeking Elimination of all forms of Asbestos including Chrysotile from India
Date: 24 March, 2011
Recalling the Ban Asbestos Resolution of 2002, WHO Resolution of 2005 and
ILO Resolution of 2006 seeking elimination of future use of asbestos of all
forms, in the face of massive asbestos exposure underway in India;
Taking note of The White Asbestos (Ban on Use and Import) Bill, 2009
introduced in Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Indian Parliament) and the order
of the Kerala State Human Rights Commission banning the use of asbestos in
schools;
Considering the anti asbestos movement against 12 proposed asbestos plants
in Bihar in face of massive people’s resistance;
Outraged at the Union of India’s Budget 2011-12’s callous reference to
asbestos by including it under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana to cover
‘unorganized sector workers in hazardous mining and associated industries
like asbestos etc’ and on the other hand Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister’s
Budget is allocating land for 4 new asbestos plants;
Recognising the fact that enviro-occupational health infrastructure in India
is weak or non-existent in the face of workers and consumers who are sick
and dying from asbestos-caused cancer and other related diseases;
Endorsing The STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS of The White Asbestos (Ban on
Use and Import) Bill, 2009 introduced in the Indian Parliament that reads:
“The white asbestos is highly carcinogenic even the World Health
Organisation has reported that it causes cancer. It is a rare fibrous
material that is used to make rooftops (roofing material) and break (brake)
linings. More than fifty countries have already banned the use and import of
white asbestos. Even the countries that export it to India prefer not to use
it domestically. But in our country, it is imported without any restriction.
Canada and Russia are the biggest exporters of white asbestos. In 2007,
Canada exported almost Ninety five percent of the white asbestos it mined
and out of it forty-three percent was shipped to India. It is quite
surprising that our country is openly importing huge quantity of a product,
which causes cancer. This is despite the fact that safer and almost cheap
alternatives to asbestos are available in the country. Instead of importing
a hazardous material, it will be better if we spend some money in research
and development and use environment friendly product. In view of the above,
there is an urgent need for a total ban on the import and use of white
asbestos and promote the use of alternative material.”
Appreciating Supreme Court of India’s order of 21st January, 2011 that takes
cognizance of the above mentioned Bill and the resolutions of ILO and WHO
and seeks government to take immediate preventive steps;
Taking cognizance of the human rights violation involved in exposing people
to killer asbestos fibers and how even if few asbestos fibre reach the right
places, it causes irreversible damage leading to asbestosis, lung cancer or
mesothelioma;
Considering Government of India’s role in preventing the listing of
chrysotile asbestos as a hazardous product under the Rotterdam Convention,
an International Agreement that requires that importing countries be warned
of the risks associated with hazardous products is unbecoming of a nation of
India’s stature. It is unconscionable that the government knowingly allows
trades in a killer product that will cause death of hundreds of thousands of
people in India in general and in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Bihar
and Rajasthan in particular and elsewhere in the world;
Reminding the Government of India that there is incontrovertible evidence
that creates a compelling logic for making India asbestos free;
Condemning the asbestos exporting countries liaison with the Indian asbestos
industry to which Government is turning a blind eye who have unleashed a
misinformation campaign about controlled use of asbestos products which is a
fantasy;
Disapproving Ministry of Environment & Forests Experts Appraisal Committee
on Industry for approving environmental clearance of asbestos plants;
Asserting the fact that so far some 55 countries have banned all forms of
asbestos, and are already using alternative materials;
Underlining that almost every international health agency of repute
including the World Health Organization, the International Labor
Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health, and the American Cancer Society agree there is no safe level of
asbestos exposure. Most recently, the International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC) reconfirmed that all commercial asbestos fibers – including
chrysotile, the most commercially used form of asbestos – cause lung cancer
and mesothelioma. In addition, IARC newly confirmed that there is sufficient
evidence that asbestos causes ovarian cancer and reconfirmed asbestos causes
laryngeal cancer;
We urge the Government to adequately compensate the victims of
asbestos-related diseases, create a database of asbestos exposed people and
victims as well besides providing legal and possible medical relief and
taking preventive measures. We call on the government to create a
mesothelioma registry and a building registry of those facilities which have
asbestos. We seek inclusion of environmental and occupational health study
in the medical education of all the 300 medical colleges in India
We recommend that the Government should start efforts to decontaminate
asbestos laden buildings including schools and hospitals
We express shock at the instance countries like Canada using tax-payers
money and Canadian embassies to actively promote the sale of asbestos around
the world;
We appeal to the Government of India to put a ban on export, import,
manufacturing, use and mining of all forms of asbestos including chrysotile
(white asbestos) in India.
We call upon the Government of India, State Governments in general and Bihar
Government in Particular besides Indian Ministry of Health, Ministry of
Environment, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Consumer
Affairs and Ministry of Mines to initiate steps for an immediate ban on use,
manufacture and trade of all forms of asbestos (including Chrysotile or
White Asbestos).
Endorsed by:
Prof (Dr) Arthur Frank, Professor, Chair: Department of Environmental and
Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, US, Email-
alf13@drexel.edu
Dr Aleck Farquhar, Managing Director, Occupational Health Clinics for
Ontario Workers, Canada, E-mail- afarquhar@ohcow.on.ca
Professor Elihu D Richter MD MPH, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of
Medicine, Israel, E-mail-elihudrichter@gmail.com
Dr Yael Stein, MD, Unit of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hebrew
University, Israel, E-mail- stein444@gmail.com
Dr Lyle Hargrove, Chairperson, Occupational Clinics for Ontario Workers,
Canada, E-mail- lyle.hargrove@gmail.com
Prof (Dr) Qamar Rahman, Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, India & former
Deputy Director, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow E-mail-
qamar_15@sify.com
Dr. T.K. Joshi, Fellow, Collegium Ramazzini, Italy, E-mail-kantjoshi@gmail.com
Friday, May 13, 2011
Media coverage of The Daily Show report on Quebec's asbestos export
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
GlobalNews.ca - Marianne White - 19 minutes ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos — home to Canada's last asbestos mine — was ridiculed ...
Abestos, Que., reacts to report on 'The Daily Show'
GlobalNews.ca - 19 minutes ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
The Daily Show visits Asbestos, Quebec
The Province - 47 minutes ago
Daily Show correspondent Aasif Mandvi is seen in this screen grab from a segment shot in the town of Asbestos, Quebec. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos — home to Canada's last asbestos mine — was ridiculed Thursday night on a popular American ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Windsor Star - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Regina Leader-Post - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
The Daily Show visits Asbestos, Que: 'In English it means slow, hacking death'
Globe and Mail - 1 hour ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Edmonton Journal - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Vancouver Sun - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
The Province - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Victoria Times Colonist - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Calgary Herald - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Montreal Gazette - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Abestos, Que., reacts to report on 'The Daily Show'
Global Montreal - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Abestos, Que., reacts to report on 'The Daily Show'
Global Toronto - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Abestos, Que., reacts to report on 'The Daily Show'
Global Saskatoon - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Abestos, Que., reacts to report on 'The Daily Show'
Global Winnipeg - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Abestos, Que., reacts to report on 'The Daily Show'
Global Regina - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
Guelph Mercury - 1 hour ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
StarPhoenix - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Abestos, Que., reacts to report on 'The Daily Show'
Global BC - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Ottawa Citizen - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Canada.com - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Abestos, Que., reacts to report on 'The Daily Show'
Global Edmonton - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Daily Show confused by mining town Asbestos, Que.
Global Saskatoon - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Daily Show confused by mining town Asbestos, Que.
Global Winnipeg - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
Waterloo Record - 1 hour ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on U.S. comedy show
Canada.com - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
The town of Asbestos is spoofed on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Montreal Gazette (blog) - Brendan Kelly - 1 hour ago
... Show at its best – way smarter than a network newscast, providing one of the few places in the mainstream media where you can find political satire with an edge (and functioning brain cells). I am thinking the Quebec asbestos industry was not amused.
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
News1130 - 2 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Edmonton - 2 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Calgary - 2 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Vancouver - 2 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Toronto - 2 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Ottawa - 2 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Jon Stewart mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
CTV.ca - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story -- Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Daily Show mocks Asbestos, Que.
CBC.ca - 3 hours ago
Jeffrey Mine is one of Canada's last-remaining asbestos mines. The Quebec government announced in April is was backing an expansion project for the Jeffrey Mine in Asbestos, Que. (Canadian Press) The Quebec government approved the expansion of the mine ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
CityNews - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
660 News - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular U.S. TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
mysask.com (press release) - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
TheTyee.ca - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
570 News - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
680 News - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Ottawa - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
CJAD - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Vancouver - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Halifax - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Calgary - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
CKTB - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Toronto - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
iNews880.com - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Edmonton - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
The Canadian Press - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
CHQR - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
Brandon Sun - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
CKFR - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
CJBK - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
GlobalNews.ca - Marianne White - 19 minutes ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos — home to Canada's last asbestos mine — was ridiculed ...
Abestos, Que., reacts to report on 'The Daily Show'
GlobalNews.ca - 19 minutes ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
The Daily Show visits Asbestos, Quebec
The Province - 47 minutes ago
Daily Show correspondent Aasif Mandvi is seen in this screen grab from a segment shot in the town of Asbestos, Quebec. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos — home to Canada's last asbestos mine — was ridiculed Thursday night on a popular American ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Windsor Star - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Regina Leader-Post - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
The Daily Show visits Asbestos, Que: 'In English it means slow, hacking death'
Globe and Mail - 1 hour ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Edmonton Journal - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Vancouver Sun - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
The Province - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Victoria Times Colonist - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Calgary Herald - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Montreal Gazette - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Abestos, Que., reacts to report on 'The Daily Show'
Global Montreal - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Abestos, Que., reacts to report on 'The Daily Show'
Global Toronto - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Abestos, Que., reacts to report on 'The Daily Show'
Global Saskatoon - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Abestos, Que., reacts to report on 'The Daily Show'
Global Winnipeg - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Abestos, Que., reacts to report on 'The Daily Show'
Global Regina - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
Guelph Mercury - 1 hour ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
StarPhoenix - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Abestos, Que., reacts to report on 'The Daily Show'
Global BC - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Ottawa Citizen - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on US comedy show
Canada.com - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
Abestos, Que., reacts to report on 'The Daily Show'
Global Edmonton - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Daily Show confused by mining town Asbestos, Que.
Global Saskatoon - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Daily Show confused by mining town Asbestos, Que.
Global Winnipeg - 1 hour ago
Reporter Aasif Mandvi made a trip to the Quebec town seeking an explanation. “Does asbestos mean something different in French than in English?” Mumbai-born Mandvi asked Asbestos executive, Bernard Coulombe. “Because in English, it means, 'slow, ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
Waterloo Record - 1 hour ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on U.S. comedy show
Canada.com - Marianne White - 1 hour ago
Claude Lortie, a supervisor at the site of Mine Jeffrey Inc., looks at the 2.5 kilometre-wide asbestos mining pit, in the town of Asbestos, Quebec, last year. QUEBEC — The Quebec town of Asbestos ...
The town of Asbestos is spoofed on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Montreal Gazette (blog) - Brendan Kelly - 1 hour ago
... Show at its best – way smarter than a network newscast, providing one of the few places in the mainstream media where you can find political satire with an edge (and functioning brain cells). I am thinking the Quebec asbestos industry was not amused.
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
News1130 - 2 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Edmonton - 2 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Calgary - 2 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Vancouver - 2 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Toronto - 2 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Ottawa - 2 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Jon Stewart mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
CTV.ca - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story -- Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Daily Show mocks Asbestos, Que.
CBC.ca - 3 hours ago
Jeffrey Mine is one of Canada's last-remaining asbestos mines. The Quebec government announced in April is was backing an expansion project for the Jeffrey Mine in Asbestos, Que. (Canadian Press) The Quebec government approved the expansion of the mine ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
CityNews - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
660 News - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular U.S. TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
mysask.com (press release) - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
TheTyee.ca - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
570 News - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
680 News - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Ottawa - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
CJAD - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Vancouver - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Halifax - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Calgary - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
CKTB - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Toronto - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
iNews880.com - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Asbestos, Que., ridiculed on Jon Stewart show
Metro Canada - Edmonton - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
The Canadian Press - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. It ran CBC images of Indian workers tossing around the substance without ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
CHQR - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
Brandon Sun - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
CKFR - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Jon Stewart's popular US TV show mocks Quebec town of Asbestos
CJBK - 3 hours ago
It reminded people that asbestos is blamed for 100000 deaths a year and that there's little evidence the product is handled safely in India, the prime market for Quebec asbestos. At one point, the comedian-reporter on the story — Mumbai-born Aasif ...
Unreleased report shows high levels of asbestos in many public buildings
Unreleased report shows high levels of asbestos in many public buildings
In late 2007, Health Canada hired a group of researchers affiliated with the University of Ottawa to assess a health hazard it had never attempted to quantify before: how at risk were Canadians from everyday and occupational exposures to cancer-causing asbestos?
The federal government has long played down the dangers of asbestos, whose only remaining Canadian source is mined in Quebec, but has never actually assessed the amounts in the air of schools, public buildings, transit vehicles and workplaces.
More related to this story
The Daily Show visits Asbestos, Que: ‘In English it means slow, hacking death’
Inhaling even small amounts of asbestos can cause cancer of the lungs and other illnesses.
The researchers scoured the country for exposure data, assembled 126 pages of it, and presented the information to Health Canada in April, 2009.
Then nothing happened.
Health Canada sat on the report until April, when it released a copy after a request by The Globe and Mail.
Among its findings: dozens of reports of elevated asbestos readings, including some that were 10 to 1,000 times those reported in similar U.S. buildings, along with high readings in some schools.
“Excedent measurements were obtained in public locales and non-residential buildings (such as libraries and schools). Excedent measures were also found in occupations typically unrelated to asbestos exposure, although these likely imply exposure during abatement work,” the report said, referring to cases where asbestos is removed from buildings.
The report noted that exposure levels have been trending down since the mid-1980s, and that those exposed could have reduced their cancer risk by wearing protective equipment, although the report could not specify whether this was the case. But it concluded that its “findings do nevertheless suggest the persistence of excessive exposure among Canadian workers.” The asbestos survey was based on data from the 1980s onward.
Through e-mailed questions, Health Canada declined to comment on why it hadn’t previously released the report, titled “Chrysotile Asbestos Exposure in Canada,” although it called the data “of limited quality.”
It said some of the highest readings came from “a few damaged buildings,” and some levels were “possibly overestimated by 10-fold” due to limitations in the scientific instruments used to measure asbestos fibres, which resemble household dust.
The existence of the report came to light after Ken Rubin, an Ottawa-based Access to Information Act researcher, received internal Health Canada evaluations of it, and a listing of 110 entities, such as labour ministries and companies, from which asbestos exposure data was sought. Those who agreed to submit their readings were promised anonymity.
A Health Canada document obtained under Mr. Rubin’s access request described the report as “the first overview of asbestos exposures in Canada, encompassing asbestos measurement data from hundreds of settings and circumstances.” It said the data, which were obtained in a short time, represented “very imperfectly, general Canadian population exposures” to the mineral.
Asbestos is a sensitive topic in Ottawa. Dozens of countries have banned it and its use is opposed by groups ranging from the Canadian Cancer Society to the World Health Organization. Asbestos is mined in the Gaspé region around the riding of Natural Resources minister Christian Paradis, who has led the Harper government in defending continued sales, almost all of which are made to developing countries.
The research was conducted by Risk Sciences International, an Ottawa company associated with the University of Ottawa, under a $24,075 contract. Had the cost been more than $25,000, it would likely have required that the health ministry publish a detailed public tender. Under federal contract disclosure requirements, Health Canada posted on its website that it hired RSI for “management consulting.”
The head of the team conducting the research said he did not think the results of his work would be difficult to find. “I was led to believe that it would eventually become somewhat available,” said Franco Momoli, who is now an epidemiologist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
Health Canada said it has not taken further steps to study whether Canadians are at risk from exposure to asbestos. But it concedes information is available.
In its e-mail, the department said “more data exists than were provided to Health Canada for this study. The data are either held by industries responsible for monitoring, or by various government departments. Much of the data is confidential and was not, or could not, be shared with us.
MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT
Globe and Mail, May. 13, 2011
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/unreleased-
report-shows-high-levels-of-asbestos-in-many-public-buildings/article2021895/
In late 2007, Health Canada hired a group of researchers affiliated with the University of Ottawa to assess a health hazard it had never attempted to quantify before: how at risk were Canadians from everyday and occupational exposures to cancer-causing asbestos?
The federal government has long played down the dangers of asbestos, whose only remaining Canadian source is mined in Quebec, but has never actually assessed the amounts in the air of schools, public buildings, transit vehicles and workplaces.
More related to this story
The Daily Show visits Asbestos, Que: ‘In English it means slow, hacking death’
Inhaling even small amounts of asbestos can cause cancer of the lungs and other illnesses.
The researchers scoured the country for exposure data, assembled 126 pages of it, and presented the information to Health Canada in April, 2009.
Then nothing happened.
Health Canada sat on the report until April, when it released a copy after a request by The Globe and Mail.
Among its findings: dozens of reports of elevated asbestos readings, including some that were 10 to 1,000 times those reported in similar U.S. buildings, along with high readings in some schools.
“Excedent measurements were obtained in public locales and non-residential buildings (such as libraries and schools). Excedent measures were also found in occupations typically unrelated to asbestos exposure, although these likely imply exposure during abatement work,” the report said, referring to cases where asbestos is removed from buildings.
The report noted that exposure levels have been trending down since the mid-1980s, and that those exposed could have reduced their cancer risk by wearing protective equipment, although the report could not specify whether this was the case. But it concluded that its “findings do nevertheless suggest the persistence of excessive exposure among Canadian workers.” The asbestos survey was based on data from the 1980s onward.
Through e-mailed questions, Health Canada declined to comment on why it hadn’t previously released the report, titled “Chrysotile Asbestos Exposure in Canada,” although it called the data “of limited quality.”
It said some of the highest readings came from “a few damaged buildings,” and some levels were “possibly overestimated by 10-fold” due to limitations in the scientific instruments used to measure asbestos fibres, which resemble household dust.
The existence of the report came to light after Ken Rubin, an Ottawa-based Access to Information Act researcher, received internal Health Canada evaluations of it, and a listing of 110 entities, such as labour ministries and companies, from which asbestos exposure data was sought. Those who agreed to submit their readings were promised anonymity.
A Health Canada document obtained under Mr. Rubin’s access request described the report as “the first overview of asbestos exposures in Canada, encompassing asbestos measurement data from hundreds of settings and circumstances.” It said the data, which were obtained in a short time, represented “very imperfectly, general Canadian population exposures” to the mineral.
Asbestos is a sensitive topic in Ottawa. Dozens of countries have banned it and its use is opposed by groups ranging from the Canadian Cancer Society to the World Health Organization. Asbestos is mined in the Gaspé region around the riding of Natural Resources minister Christian Paradis, who has led the Harper government in defending continued sales, almost all of which are made to developing countries.
The research was conducted by Risk Sciences International, an Ottawa company associated with the University of Ottawa, under a $24,075 contract. Had the cost been more than $25,000, it would likely have required that the health ministry publish a detailed public tender. Under federal contract disclosure requirements, Health Canada posted on its website that it hired RSI for “management consulting.”
The head of the team conducting the research said he did not think the results of his work would be difficult to find. “I was led to believe that it would eventually become somewhat available,” said Franco Momoli, who is now an epidemiologist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
Health Canada said it has not taken further steps to study whether Canadians are at risk from exposure to asbestos. But it concedes information is available.
In its e-mail, the department said “more data exists than were provided to Health Canada for this study. The data are either held by industries responsible for monitoring, or by various government departments. Much of the data is confidential and was not, or could not, be shared with us.
MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT
Globe and Mail, May. 13, 2011
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/unreleased-
report-shows-high-levels-of-asbestos-in-many-public-buildings/article2021895/
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