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Make India Asbestos Free
For Asbestos Free India
BAN-ASBESTOS-
INDIA
Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI) works for Asbestos Free India
since 2002. Occupational Health India and ToxicsWatch Alliance are its
members that includes occupational health doctors, researchers and
activists. BANI demands criminal liability for companies and medico-
legal remedy for victims. It works with trade unions, human rights,
environmental and public health groups. For
Details:krishna1715@gmail.com, oshindia@yahoo.in,
toxicswatchallaince@gmail.com
Saturday, September 6, 2014
How the Asbestos industry is pushing its

lies in India
Vaishali, India: The executives mingled over tea and sugar
cookies, and the chatter was upbeat. Their industry, they said at
the conference in the Indian capital, saves lives and brings roofs,
walls and pipes to some of the world's poorest people.
The industry's wonder product, though, is one whose very name
evokes the opposite: asbestos. A largely outlawed scourge to the
developed world, it is still going strong in the developing one,
and killing tens of thousands of people each year.
"We're here not only to run our businesses, but to also serve the
nation," said Abhaya Shankar, a director of India's Asbestos
Cement Products Manufacturers Association.
In India, the world's biggest asbestos importer, it's a $2 billion
industry with double-digit annual growth, at least 100
manufacturing plants and some 300,000 jobs.
The International Labor Organisation, World Health
http://banasbestosindia.blogspot.in/ 23-09-2014
Organization, the wider medical community and more than 50

countries say the mineral should be banned. Asbestos fibers
lodge in the lungs and cause many diseases. The ILO estimates
100,000 people die every year from workplace exposure, and
experts believe thousands more die from exposure outside the
workplace.
The asbestos executives who gathered in the ballroom of a
luxury New Delhi hotel wanted to knock down those concerns.
The risks are overblown, many said, and scientists and officials
from rich Western nations who cite copious research showing it
causes cancer are distorting the facts.
More than two-thirds of India's 1.2 billion people live in poverty
on less than $1.25 a day, including hundreds of millions still in
makeshift rural dwellings that offer little protection from
insects, harsh weather and roaming predators such as tigers and
leopards.
"These are huge numbers. We're talking about millions of
people," Shankar said. "So there is a lot of latent demand."
Yet there are some poor Indians trying to keep asbestos out of
their communities, even as the government supports the
industry by lowering import duties and using asbestos in
construction of subsidized housing.
"People outside of India, they must be wondering what kind of
fools we are," said Ajit Kumar Singh from the Indian Red Cross
Society. "They don't use it. They must wonder why we would."
___
In the ancient farming village of Vaishali, in impoverished Bihar
state, the first word about the dangers of asbestos came from
chemistry and biology textbooks that a boy in a neighbouring
town brought home from school, according to villagers
interviewed by The Associated Press.
A company was proposing an asbestos plant in the village of
1,500 people located about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) east of
New Delhi.
The villagers worried that asbestos fibers could blow from the
factory across their wheat, rice and potato fields and into their
tiny mud-and-thatch homes. Their children, they said, could
contract lung diseases most Indian doctors would never test for,
let alone treat. Neither India nor any of its 29 states keep
statistics on how many people might be affected by asbestos.
The people of Vaishali began protesting in January 2011. They
objected that the structure would be closer to their homes than
the legal limit of 500 meters (1,640 feet). Still, bricks were laid,
temporary management offices were built and a hulking skeleton
of steel beams went up across the tree-studded landscape.

The villagers circulated a petition demanding the factory be
halted. But in December 2012, its permit was renewed, inciting
more than 6,000 people from the region to rally on a main road,
blocking traffic for 11 hours. They gave speeches and chanted
"Asbestos causes cancer."
Amid the chaos, a few dozen villagers took matters into their
own hands, pulling down the partially built factory, brick by
brick.
"It was a moment of desperation. No one was listening to us,"
said a villager involved in the demolition, a teacher who spoke
on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution from the
company. "There was no other way for us to express our
outrage."
Within four hours, the factory and offices were demolished:
bricks, beams, pipes and asbestos roofing, all torn down. The
steel frame was the only remnant left standing.
"Still, we did not feel triumphant," the teacher said. "We knew it
wasn't over."
They were right. The company filed lawsuits, still pending,
against several villagers, alleging vandalism and theft.
___
Durable and heat-resistant, asbestos was long a favourite
insulation material in the West, but has also been used in
everything from shoes and dental fillings to fireproofing sprays,
brake linings and ceiling tiles.
Scientists and medical experts overwhelmingly agree that
inhaling any form of asbestos can lead to deadly diseases
including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis, or the
scarring of the lungs. Exposure may also lead to other
debilitating ailments, including asthma and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease.
About 125 million people worldwide are exposed to asbestos at
work each year, the WHO says. Because the disease typically
takes 20 to 40 years to manifest, workers can go through their
careers without realising they are getting sick.
Dozens of countries including Japan, South Korea, Argentina,
Saudi Arabia and all European Union nations have banned
asbestos entirely. Others including the United States have
severely curtailed its use.
Most asbestos on the world market today comes from Russia.
Brazil, Kazakhstan and China also export, though some have
been reviewing their positions.
Canada's Quebec province was the world's biggest asbestos

producer for much of the 20th century. It got out of the business
in 2012, after a new provincial government questioned why it
was mining and exporting a material its own citizens shunned.
Asia is the biggest market. India last year imported $235 million
worth of the stuff, or about half of the global trade. The global
asbestos lobby says the mineral has been unfairly maligned by
Western nations that used it irresponsibly. It also says one of the
six forms of asbestos is safe: chrysotile, or white asbestos, which
accounts for more than 95 percent of all asbestos used since
1900, and all of what's used today.
The asbestos executives who gathered in the ballroom of a
luxury New Delhi hotel wanted to knock down those concerns.
The risks are overblown, many said, and scientists and officials
from rich Western nations who cite copious research showing it
causes cancer are distorting the facts.
More than two-thirds of India's 1.2 billion people live in poverty
on less than $1.25 a day, including hundreds of millions still in
makeshift rural dwellings that offer little protection from
insects, harsh weather and roaming predators such as tigers and
leopards.
"These are huge numbers. We're talking about millions of
people," Shankar said. "So there is a lot of latent demand."
Yet there are some poor Indians trying to keep asbestos out of
their communities, even as the government supports the
industry by lowering import duties and using asbestos in
construction of subsidized housing.
"People outside of India, they must be wondering what kind of
fools we are," said Ajit Kumar Singh from the Indian Red Cross
Society. "They don't use it. They must wonder why we would."
___
In the ancient farming village of Vaishali, in impoverished Bihar
state, the first word about the dangers of asbestos came from
chemistry and biology textbooks that a boy in a neighbouring
town brought home from school, according to villagers
interviewed by The Associated Press.
A company was proposing an asbestos plant in the village of
1,500 people located about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) east of
New Delhi.
The villagers worried that asbestos fibers could blow from the
factory across their wheat, rice and potato fields and into their
tiny mud-and-thatch homes. Their children, they said, could
contract lung diseases most Indian doctors would never test for,
let alone treat. Neither India nor any of its 29 states keep
statistics on how many people might be affected by asbestos.

The people of Vaishali began protesting in January 2011. They
objected that the structure would be closer to their homes than
the legal limit of 500 meters (1,640 feet). Still, bricks were laid,
temporary management offices were built and a hulking skeleton
of steel beams went up across the tree-studded landscape.
The villagers circulated a petition demanding the factory be
halted. But in December 2012, its permit was renewed, inciting
more than 6,000 people from the region to rally on a main road,
blocking traffic for 11 hours. They gave speeches and chanted
"Asbestos causes cancer."
Amid the chaos, a few dozen villagers took matters into their
own hands, pulling down the partially built factory, brick by
brick.
"It was a moment of desperation. No one was listening to us,"
said a villager involved in the demolition, a teacher who spoke
on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution from the
company. "There was no other way for us to express our
outrage."
Within four hours, the factory and offices were demolished:
bricks, beams, pipes and asbestos roofing, all torn down. The
steel frame was the only remnant left standing.
"Still, we did not feel triumphant," the teacher said. "We knew it
wasn't over."
They were right. The company filed lawsuits, still pending,
against several villagers, alleging vandalism and theft.
___
Durable and heat-resistant, asbestos was long a favourite
insulation material in the West, but has also been used in
everything from shoes and dental fillings to fireproofing sprays,
brake linings and ceiling tiles.
Scientists and medical experts overwhelmingly agree that
inhaling any form of asbestos can lead to deadly diseases
including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis, or the
scarring of the lungs. Exposure may also lead to other
debilitating ailments, including asthma and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease.
About 125 million people worldwide are exposed to asbestos at
work each year, the WHO says. Because the disease typically
takes 20 to 40 years to manifest, workers can go through their
careers without realising they are getting sick.
Dozens of countries including Japan, South Korea, Argentina,
Saudi Arabia and all European Union nations have banned
asbestos entirely. Others including the United States have

severely curtailed its use.
Most asbestos on the world market today comes from Russia.
Brazil, Kazakhstan and China also export, though some have
been reviewing their positions.
Canada's Quebec province was the world's biggest asbestos
producer for much of the 20th century. It got out of the business
in 2012, after a new provincial government questioned why it
was mining and exporting a material its own citizens shunned.
Asia is the biggest market. India last year imported $235 million
worth of the stuff, or about half of the global trade. The global
asbestos lobby says the mineral has been unfairly maligned by
Western nations that used it irresponsibly. It also says one of the
six forms of asbestos is safe: chrysotile, or white asbestos, which
accounts for more than 95 percent of all asbestos used since
1900, and all of what's used today.
"Chrysotile you can eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner!" said
Kanat Kapbayel of Kazakhstan's United Minerals and a board
member of the International Chrysotile Association.
Chrysotile is a serpentine mineral, meaning its fibers are curly
and more flexible than the other more jagged and sharp forms
called amphiboles. The lobby and its supporters say this
distinction makes all the difference.
A vast majority of experts in science and medicine reject this. "A
rigorous review of the epidemiological evidence confirms that all
types of asbestos fiber are causally implicated in the
development of various diseases and premature death," the Joint
Policy Committee of the Societies of Epidemiology said in a 2012
position statement.
Squeezed out of the industrialised world, the asbestos industry is
trying to build up new markets and has created lobbying
organizations to help it sell asbestos to poor countries,
particularly in Asia, it said.
___
Developed nations are still reckoning with health and economic
consequences from past asbestos use.
American businesses have paid out at least $1.3 billion in the
largest and longest-running collection of personal injury lawsuits
in US legal history, according to a 2012 report by the California-
based Rand research corporation. Two years ago, an Italian court
sentenced two businessmen from Swiss building material maker
Eternit AG to 16 years in prison for negligence leading to more
than 2,000 asbestos-related deaths. Billions of dollars have been
spent stripping asbestos from buildings in the US and Europe.
Arun Saraf, the Indian asbestos association's chairman, said India

has learned from the West's mistakes.
He said the lobby's 15 member companies maintain the strictest
safety standards in their factories. That includes limiting
airborne dust, properly disposing of waste and insisting
employees wear safety masks, gloves and protective clothing.
The vast majority of asbestos used in India is mixed with cement
and poured into molds for corrugated roof sheets, wall panels or
pipes. Fibers can be released when the sheets are sawed or
hammered, and when wear and weather break them down.
Scientists say those released fibers are just as dangerous as the
raw mineral.
AP journalists who visited a working factory and a shuttered one
in Bihar found both had dumped broken sheets and raw material
in fields or uncovered pits within the factory premises. Workers
without any safety gear were seen handling the broken sheets at
both factories. The working factory was operated by Ramco
Industries Ltd, while the other owned by Nibhi Industries Pvt Ltd
was supplying materials to UAL Industries Ltd.
Saraf, who is also UAL's managing director, said the materials
left strewn across the factory grounds were meant to be
pulverised and recycled into new roofing sheets, and were no
more dangerous than the final product as the asbestos had
already been mixed with cement.
He said Nibhi was not an association member, but "I have been
informed that Nibhi workers are provided with all the personal
protective equipment."
Some employees of Ramco's working factory said they were

satisfied that asbestos was safe, and were delighted by the
benefits of steady work. But several former employees of both
factories said they were given masks only on inspection days,

and rarely if ever had medical checkups. None was aware that
going home with asbestos fibers on their clothing or hair could
put their families at risk.
Ramco CEO Prem Shanker said all employees working in areas
where asbestos was kept unmixed were given safety equipment
and regular medical checkups that were reviewed by
government authorities. "Ramco has consistently gone the extra
mile to ensure a safe working environment," he said. AP was not
given permission to visit these indoor areas.
Indian customers like the asbestos sheets because they're sturdy,
heat resistant and quieter in the rain than tin or fiberglass. But
most of all, they're cheap.
Umesh Kumar, a roadside vendor in Bihar's capital of Patna, sells
precut 3-by-1 meter (10-by-3 foot) asbestos cement sheets for
600 rupees ($10) each. A tin or a fiberglass sheet of similar
strength costs 800 rupees.
"I've known it's a health hazard for about 10 years, but what can
we do? This is a country of poor people, and for less money they
can have a roof over their heads," Kumar said.
"These people are not aware" of the health risks, he said. But as
sellers of asbestos sheets wanting to stay in business, "we're not
able to tell them much."
___
The two-day asbestos conference in December was billed as
scientific. But organisers said they had no new research. One
could say they've gone back in time to defend their products.
The Indian asbestos lobby's website refers to 1998 WHO
guidelines for controlled use of chrysotile, but skips updated
WHO advice from 2007 suggesting that all asbestos be banned.
The lobby also ignores the ILO's 2006 recommendation to ban
asbestos, and refers only to its 1996 suggestion of strict
regulations.
When asked why the association ignored the most recent advice,
its executive director, John Nicodemus, waved his hand
dismissively. "The WHO is scaremongering," he said.
Many of the speakers are regulars at asbestos conferences
around the world, including in Brazil, Thailand, Malaysia,
Ukraine and Indonesia.
American Robert Nolan, who heads a New York-based
organiastion called Environmental Studies International, told the
Indian delegates that "a ban is a little like a taboo in a primitive
society," and that those who ban asbestos are "not looking at the
facts."
David Bernstein, an American-born toxicologist based in Geneva,

said that although chrysotile can cause disease if inhaled in large
quantities or for prolonged periods, so could any tiny particle.
He has published dozens of chrysotile-friendly studies and
consulted for the Quebec-based Chrysotile Institute, which lost
its Canadian government funding and shut down in 2012.
When asked by an audience member about funding for his
research, he said some has come from chrysotile interests
without elaborating on how much. A short-term study generally
costs about $500,000, he said, and a long-term research project
can cost up to about $4 million.
He presented an animated video demonstrating how one special
kind of human blood cell called a macrophage can engulf a
squiggly white asbestos fiber, dissolve it in acid and carry it out
of the lungs. He said his research concludes that smaller doses
for shorter periods "produce no fibrosis."
"We have defense mechanisms. Our lungs are remarkable,"
Bernstein said. To suffer any health problems, "you have to live
long enough."
Other researchers have drawn different conclusions. Their
studies indicate that most chrysotile isn't eliminated but ends up
in the membrane lining the lungs, where the rare malignancy
mesothelioma develops and chews through the chest wall,
leading to excruciating death.
Research such as Bernstein's frustrates retired US Assistant
Surgeon General Dr Richard Lemen, who has studied asbestos
since 1970 and first advocated a chrysotile ban in 1976. "His
presentation is pretty slick, and when he puts it on animation
mode, people think: 'Wow, he must know what he's talking
about,'" Lemen said by telephone from Atlanta. But Bernstein or
Nolan "would get shot down if they stood up and talked about
their research" at a legitimate scientific conference, he said.
Debate has ended for richer countries, but that has not stopped
asbestos use in poorer ones, Lemen said. "I've been saying the
same thing over and over for 40 years. You feel like Sisyphus
rolling the stone up the hill, and it comes back down."
___
Research conducted around the world has not convinced some
Indian officials, who say there is not enough evidence to prove a
link between chrysotile and disease in India.
Gopal Krishna, an activist with the Ban Asbestos India, calls this
argument "ridiculous." "Are they saying Indian people's lungs are
different than people's in the West?"
The permit for the asbestos plant in Vaishali was canceled by
Bihar's chief minister last year after prolonged agitation, but

some in his government still rejected that the mineral is
hazardous.
"From the scientific information I have received, there is no
direct health hazard with asbestos production," said Dipak Kumar
Singh, who until recently was Bihar's environment secretary and
oversaw industrial zones at the same time. He's now in charge of
water management.
The state health secretary, Deepak Kumar, disagreed. "It's not
safe," he said. "Of course it can affect the health system, create
a burden for us all and especially the poor."
India in 1986 placed a moratorium on licensing any new asbestos
mining, but has never banned use of the mineral despite two
Supreme Court rulings ordering lawmakers to bring the law in
line with ILO standards.
Last year, an Indian delegation traveled to Geneva to join
Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Zimbabwe and Vietnam
in opposing the listing of chrysotile as a hazardous chemical
under the international Rotterdam Convention, which governs
the labeling and trade of dangerous chemicals. Without
unanimous support among the convention's 154 members, the
effort to list chrysotile failed again.
An Indian Labor Ministry advisory committee set up in 2012 to
give a recommendation on asbestos has yet to release a report.
The Health Ministry has said asbestos is harmful, but that it has
no power to do anything about it. The Environment Ministry
continues to approve new factories even as it says asbestos may
be phased out.
The position of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new government
is unclear, but during 12 years as chief minister of Gujarat state,
Modi oversaw a boom in asbestos manufacturing and in the
asbestos-laden ship-breaking industry.
Meanwhile, village-level resistance continues. Vaishali sparked
other protests, including in the nearby district of Bhojpur.
"We'll start a people's revolution if we have to," said blacksmith
Dharmatma Sharma, founder of a local environmental group.
"Many people are not aware of the effects, especially the

illiterate," said Madan Prasad Gupta, a village leader in Bhojpur,
while sipping tea with other villagers at the roadside tea shop he
built decades ago when he had no idea what asbestos was.
Over his head: a broken, crumbling asbestos cement roof.
#Asbestos #Asbestos Industry #Asbestos industry in India

#Health Hazard #HealthBuzz #HowThisWorks #India #Lung
diseases
By Katy Daigle/Associated Press

http://www.firstpost.com/living/asbestos-industry-pushing-
lies-india-1660683.html
Posted by Gopal Krishna at 8:34 PM No comments:
Labels: Bhojpur, Bihar asbestos plants
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Thursday, May 1, 2014
NHRC seeks 'additional information'

about asbestos deaths and diseases in
India
India continues to ignore recommendations of ILO and WHO

for banning use of all forms of asbestos to save workers, their
families and consumers
Certified victims of asbestos related diseases in Gujarat yet

to be compensated despite Supreme Court's order
Bihar Chief Minister's intervention led to stoppage of

construction of asbestos plant in Vaishali despite threats from
centre and biased report from Central Pollution Control
Board
May 1, 2014: The National Human Rights Commission

(NHRC) which is seized with a complaint alleging that about
thousands of people die every year in the country due to
Asbestos related cancer has sought 'additional information'
about asbestos deaths and diseases in India and scheduled
first week of June 2014 for the next hearing.
The complainant has sought Commission's intervention for a

ban on the use of Chrysotile Asbestos (White Asbestos), which
is hazardous for the health of people and causes various
incurable diseases. The white Asbestos is a fibrous material
used for building roofs and walls and
various in other forms.
Dealing with Case No.:2951/30/0/2011, on March 31, 2014,

NHRC issued its directions saying, "The Commission while
considering the matter on 5.8.2013 inter alia observed and
directed as under:- "Pursuant to the directions of the
Commission, requisite reports have been received
from Director of Industries, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh,
Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (Cement
Section), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, New Delhi,
National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad and
Department of Chemical and Petrochemical, New Delhi."
The Commission had issued notices to the Secretaries of

Ministries of Chemical Fertilizers, Environment and Forest,
Health and Family Welfare, Industry and Commerce, Labour
and Chief Secretaries of all the States/Union Territories
calling for status reports within four weeks on the issues
raised in the complaint.
NHRC's direction reads: "A communication dated 17.5.2013

has been received from the Senior Admin Officer, Tata
Memorial Centre, Advanced Centre for Treatment Research &
Education in Cancer, Navi Mumbai informing that they have
forwarded the Commission's directions to the
Director, Cancer Epidemiology, Tata Memorial Hospital,
Mumbai for their review and reply to the NHRC directly as this
case pertains to Cancer Epidemiology Division of TMH.
However, no response has been received from Director,
Cancer Epidemiology, Tata Memorial Hospital
Mumbai, so far. Registry is, therefore, directed to issue
reminder to Director, Cancer Epidemiology, Tata Memorial
Hospital, Mumbai to submit the required report within six
weeks."
"Ms. Rashmi Virmani and Ms. Mukta Dutta, Counsel on behalf

of Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association
appeared before the Commission today and sought time to
submit suggestions. Their request has been granted."
Pursuant to the above directions of the Commission, Shri
Rajeev K. Virmani, Sr. Advocate, Ms. Rashmi Virmani and Ms.
Mukta
Dutta, Counsel on behalf of Asbestos Cement Products
Manufacturers Association (ACPMA) appeared before the
Commission today. The Counsel for the ACPMA has stated that
the Supreme Court has already dealt with the case and
therefore, NHRC may not consider the case and dispose of the
same. After hearing them, the Commission stated that the
Commission is only concerned with the 'Right to Health' of the
people, which is guaranteed under the Constitution of India,
and also whether the directions of the Supreme Court in this
regard are being complied with by different
agencies/industries."
The direction reads: "Registry to issue reminder to Director,

Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai to send the requisite
report sought for by the Commission within six weeks. The

complainant has made a complaint regarding the painful
death of Virendra Kumar Singh @ Barak
Yadav, an asbestos worker who worked in the factory of
Ramco Industries in Bhojpur, Bihar vide his communication
dated 27.1.2014. He may be at liberty to produce the medical
report, if any, and other details regarding the death of
Virendra Kumar @ Barak Yadav to the Commission within six
weeks. DC, Bhojpur, Bihar also is requested to inquire into
the death of Virendra Kumar @ Barak Yadav who worked in
the factory of Ramco Industries in Bhojpur, Bihar and furnish
a report
within six weeks. Vide letter dated 14th September, 2013,
Shri Gopal Krishna of Toxics Watch Alliance, New Delhi has
made another complaint regarding harassment meted out to
him by the Utkal Asbestos Limited (UAL), Member of Asbestos
Cement Products Manufacturers Association as he is pursuing
the matter relating to hazardous effects of Asbestos in the
NHRC. Let this complaint/letter be de-linked from Case File
No. 2951/30/0/2011 and registered as a separate case. List
this matter in the 1st week of June, 2014."
Citing contradictory position of the Government on the

issue the complainant, ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA) has
alleged that though the mining of Asbestos has been
technically banned by the government, but it allows its
import and that too from the countries which do not prefer its
domestic use. Banned in over 50 countries, white Asbestos is
considered a hazardous chemical substance for environment
by a number of countries in the world. However, it is being
used in a
number of industries in India affecting the workers
employed their in.
WHO and ILO have recommended ban on all form of asbestos

including white chrysotile asbestos to prevent incurable but
preventable deaths and diseases.
The complainant has also requested for grant of a

compensation package for present and future victims of
Asbestos diseases.
In his reply submitted to NHRC in this very case, Raman
Maheria, Joint Secretary, Labour and Employment

Department, Government of Gujarat submitted the Action
Taken Report furnished by the Director Industrial Safety &
Health, Gujarat State. In this reply it is stated that "Asbestosis
is declared as notifiable occupational diseases in Third
Schedule under section 89 and 90 of the Factories Act. The
workers working in the registered factories are eligible for
compensation either under the Employees Compensation Act,
1923 or under the Employees State Insurance Act."
The reply reveals that "22 workers of Gujarat Composite Ltd,

Kaligam, Ahmedabad, who were suspected victims of
asbestosis were sent for medical check-up to National
Institute of Occupational Health. Out of them, following two
workers were confirmed for Asbestosis by N.I.O.H.: (1) Shri
Hazarilal Manraj and (2) Shri Sahejram B Yadav."
The reply discloses that "Letters dated 24/12/2002,

16/10/2006 and 19/1/2007 were issued to the Gujarat
Composite Ltd. to pay compensation of Rs 1 lac to the above
two victims as per the direction of the Supreme Court.
Gujarat Composite Ltd. has denied to pay compensation to
the above workers as the company has challenged the report
of N.I.O.H. This fact is mentioned in the affidavit made before
the Hon'ble Supreme Court that the Gujarat Composite Ltd.
has not paid
the compensation to the victims as per the directions given in
the Writ Petition (C) No. 206/1986. Thus, the State
Government has taken all the steps required for the
protection of workers from Asbestosis in factories of Gujarat
State." It may be noted that Gujarat Composite Ltd (formerly
named Digvijay Cement Company) appears to be attempting
to hide behind myriad corporate veils by changing names and
by outsourcing its work (to agencies like Apurva Vinimay and
Infrastructure Division).
The reply does not disclose that there is a case of 62 workers

pending in the Gujarat Human Rights Commission wherein 23
workers have been medically examined at the direction of the
State Human Rights Commission but their report was not
shared.
The reply submits that Government of Gujarat has adopted

the ILO Convention on Asbestos (Convention 162) of 1986. It
has ignored the ILO Resolution of June 14, 2006, Its clause 2
reads: The ILO Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162),
provides for the measures to be taken for
the prevention and control of, and protection of workers
against, health hazards due to occupational exposure to
asbestos. Key provisions of Convention No. 162 concern: -
replacement of asbestos or of certain types of asbestos or
products containing asbestos with other materials or products
evaluated as less harmful, - total or partial prohibition of the
use of asbestos or of certain types of asbestos or products
containing asbestos in certain work processes, - measures to
prevent or control the release of asbestos dust into the air
and to ensure that the exposure limits or other exposure
criteria are complied with and also to reduce exposure to as
low a level as is reasonably practicable. Its clause 4 in
paragraph 3 reads: "The Resolution also underlined that the
ILO Convention on Safety in the Use of Asbestos, No. 162,
should not be used to provide a
justification for, or endorsement of, the continued use of
asbestos."
This Resolution concerning asbestos was adopted by the

International Labour Conference at its 95th Session in 2006
calls for "the elimination of the future use of asbestos and the
identification and proper management of asbestos currently
in place as the most effective means to protect workers from
asbestos exposure and to prevent future asbestos-related
diseases and deaths".
In his reply Raman Maheria, Joint Secretary, Labour and

Employment Department, Government of Gujarat has
enclosed the notification of Union Ministry of Labour and
Employment constituting an Advisory Committee in pursuance
of the judgement of Hon'ble Supreme Court.
There are four terms of reference (TOR) of this Advisory

Committee. Two of these TORs deal with 'ILO guidelines' and
'fresh resolution passed by ILO". The reply does not recognize
that the 'fresh resolution passed by ILO' refers to the above
mentioned June 2006 resolution.
Director Industrial Safety & Health, Gujarat State has filed the
'Compliance Report of Para 16 of Directions of the Supreme
Court in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 260 of 2004. This document
submits that "Use of Crocidolite and product containing this

fiber is prohibited in the State as per the guide line of the ILO
convention 162 for Asbestos. This report does not reveal how
Hon'ble Court's direction regarding 'fresh resolution passed by
ILO" seeking elimination of future use of asbestos is being
complied with.
In a separate evasive reply, V R Ghadge, Senior Environment

Engineer, Gujarat Pollution Control Board has failed to reveal
the status of asbestos related diseases in the asbestos based
factories in the State and the procurement of asbestos based
products by the State Government and the residents of the
State. It does concede that "Asbestos" is identified as having
hazardous properties with regard to health effects but its
reply is highly unsatisfactory given the fact that Gujarat is
emerging as the asbestos disease capital of India. In fact the
Writ Petition (Civil) No. 206 of 1986 in which the Hon'ble
Supreme Court gave the directions with regard to adverse
impact of asbestos industry in 1995 was filed due to cases of
asbestos victims in Gujarat.
Even this somewhat lackadaisical letter which is confining

itself to the Asbestos containing material management at
Bhavnagar's Alang Ship Breaking Yard generated during
shipbreaking activity, it has not disclosed the findings of the
study by National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH),
Ahmedabad undertaken in compliance of the instructions of
the Hon'ble Supreme Court constituted Technical Experts
Committee. The same was filed in the Hon'ble Court revealing
how 16 % of the workers on the Alang beach involved in ship
breaking are exposed to asbestos fibers.
It is noteworthy that Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, the UN Special

Rapporteur who vison the adverse effects of the movement
and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on
the enjoyment of human rights who visited India notes, "most
workers, but reportedly also a number of yard owners, are
not aware of the serious life-threatening work-related
diseases which may result from long-term exposure to toxic
and hazardous substances and materials present on end-of-
life ships. In particular, it appears that the majority of the
workforce and the local population do not know the adverse
consequences of prolonged exposure to asbestos dusts and
fibres and are not familiar with the precautions that need to
be taken to handle asbestos-containing materials." Not

surprisingly, some 200 migrant workers from UP, Bihar,
Jharkahnd and Odisha have died on Alang beach between
2001 and 2014. This figure is only for deaths due to
accidents. The deaths and diseases due to exposures to
asbestos fibers is not even recorded but lack of
documentation does not mean absence of occupational health
crisis in Alang.
It has come to light from the Office Memorandum dated May

2011 that Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF)'s Standing
Monitoring Committee (SMC) on Shipbreaking has suggested
that monitoring of asbestos in ambient air at shipbreaking
yards on Alang beach "shall be commissioned by GMB for
carrying out the same by a reputed institute like NIOH, as a
one time study." The facts is Asbestos cannot be handled
safely or in a controlled manner. Therefore, International
Labour Organisation's resolution of June 2006 and World
Health Organisation's resolution of 2005 seek elimination of
future use of asbestos. Indian workers in general and migrant
workers of Alang should not be made to handle asbestos
under any situation.
The reply does not reveal the health status of the workers at
the asbestos cement sheet plant in Kachchh in Gujarat
operated by Ramco Industries. It is totally silent about the
health impact of asbestos units like Charminar Asbestos, Royal
Asbestos, Supreme Asbestos Trading Company, Eagle
Asbestos Pvt Ltd, Shree Khodiyar Asbestos Company, Shiv
Shakti Enterprises, Royal Asbestos and several others. The
reply of Gujarat Government has failed to report whether
Gujarat State has the environmental and occupational health
infrastructure in place to diagnose asbestos related diseases.
Meanwhile, following Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar's

intervention and support of the left parties and AAP leader
Medha Patkar against anti-asbestos struggle Bihar State
Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) has refused the permission
for construction of asbestos based plant
proposed by UAL Industries Limited in Vaishali in the face of
threats from centre and an unfavourable and biased report
from Central Pollution Control Board.
Notably, as Bihar's Environment Minister and Deputy Chief
Minister, Sushil Kumar Modi had supported construction of

asbestos factories in Bihar's Bhojpur amid densely populated
villages of Bihiya and Koilwar blocks and he had misled Bihar's
State Assembly about Supreme Court's
decision on hazardous substances like asbestos that has
sought compliance with ILO resolution 2006 seeking
elimination of asbestos.
For Details: Gopal Krishna, ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA),

Mb:08227816731, 09818089660,
E-mail:gopalkrishna1715@gmail.com,
Web:www.toxicswatch.org
Posted by Gopal Krishna at 2:06 AM 1 comment:
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Thursday, September 5, 2013
OHI, TWA Letter to DGMS seeking relief

from the abandoned asbestos mines in
Roro, Chaibasa, Jharkhand
Occupational Health India
(OHI)
ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA)
To
Director General
Directorate General of Mines Safety. (DGMS)
Dhanbad
Date: September 5, 2013
Subject-Seeking relief from the abandoned asbestos mines in

Roro, Chaibasa, Jharkhand
Sir,
This is with reference to the presentation which I had made

before you at the Jaipur conference co-organised by Australian
University and MLPC. Subsequent to that I met Dy. Director
general, DGMS Ghaziabad on September 4, 2013 with regard to
relief from the abandoned asbestos mines in Roro, Chaibasa,
Jharkhand. I submitted a letter to him but he asked me to
contact you in this matter.
This is to draw your kind attention towards the asbestos

related incurable occupational and non-occupational diseases
caused by the exposure to lung cancer causing fibers from the
abandoned asbestos mines in Roro.
It may be noted that the liability for asbestos related diseases
remain a huge issue in the entire developed world leading to
bankruptcy of hundreds of companies due to compensation
money they have to pay to victims of asbestos related deaths
and ailments. Dow Chemicals Company has set up an asbestos
compensation fund of 2.2 billion US Dollars for the asbestos
related liability of Union Carbide Corporation which is now its
subsidiary in the aftermath of the Industrial Disaster of Bhopal. I
submit that human biology of people in Jharkhand isnt any
different.
It is important to prepare a Health Management Plan for

Mesothelioma, Lung cancer and Asbestosis related problems
emerging for these abandoned mines Jharkhand.
I submit that it is relevant to recollect the sad legacy of

undivided Bihar, the unpardonable act of vanishing hazardous
companies and the asbestos mines in places like Roro Hills in
Chaibasa, West Singhbhum. The death toll and the disease
burden that has emerged due to this abandoned asbestos mine
must be ascertained because it would provide valuable lessons in
preventive medicine. The Roro hills is infamous for an
abandoned asbestos mine. It is estimated that nearly 0.7 million
tons of asbestos waste mixed with chromite-bearing host rock
lies scattered here and in 25 years no study has been conducted
to assess the fate of this hazardous waste dumped improperly on
top of Roro hills. The waste material extends several meters
down slope spreading into the paddy fields on the foothills of
Roro. About 40 centimeters of thick silty waste of crushed rocks
is spread over the paddy fields and poisoning the local
residents.
I submit that there is a need for an official health survey of 14

villages around the Roro hills and the former workers of the Roro
asbestos mines. There is a link between the asbestos exposures
and several adverse health effects such as shortness of breath
indicating respiratory ailments.
I wish to inform you that local newspaper clippings from

Singbhumi Ekta, a weekly from Chaibasa, published between
January and August 1981, include a press release from the late
P. Mazumdar, the leader of the United Mine Workers Union,
affiliated to All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)states that
30 workers from Roro mines had died of asbestosis. You may
ascertain the fate of ex-workers from the Roro mines from Roro
and Tilaisud villages. The Roro mines were closed down in 1983
after Hyderabad Asbestos Cement Products Ltd. (now known as
Hyderabad Industries Limited) decided that they were no longer
profitable even at the cost of human health in general and
workers health in particular.
I submit that there are ex miners who have died before their
times. So many people have died before they turned forty,
says Birsingh Sondi, Sahayak Munda (Deputy Chief) of Roro, who
points to his neighbours house, There lived Mangalsingh Sondi,
who was 25 when he died. He shares some narratives.
Dumbi Boipai, an ex-miner who feels recurring pain in his chest

remembers his fellow miners who all are dead, he mumbles first
to himself and then aloud, Pooliya Sondi, Rohto Gop, Vijay
Singh Sondi, Rahto Samadh, and he suddenly refuses to speak as
he takes a gasp. Some like Mukund Sundi are barely alive. His
young wife is helpless, resigned, refusing to talk. I worked in
the crusher, where they produced asbestos, says Mukund Sundi.
They use to pay us Rs 7 a day. Some of his symptoms match TB,
but doctors can't pinpoint his illness and so they offer no cure.
There has been no assistance for Mangal Sundi from his former
employers. Koi nahi aya madad ke liye. Koi mera ilaj bhi nahi
karwata. (No one ever has come up for help. No one got me
treated.), Sundi in a whisper.
There are many victims of Roro and the 14 surrounding villages

who recall days of reckless mining operations and deplorable
conditions of miners. Persistent cough, haemoptysis, pain in
chest while breathing is common health complaints. As per Jun
Sunwai reports of a public hearing by Jharkhand Organisation for

Human Rights (JOHAR) conducted in 2003, the testimonials of
villagers say:
Jeevan Tubid, 50, is an ex underground mine worker who lost

his leg while working in the underground mines of Roro as a
loader. He has almost lost his eye sight and has intense pain in
his lower back. No compensation has been paid yet to him by the
mining company.
Pandu Pradhan, 45, almost lost his eye sight while working as a
Timber man in the underground mines of Roro. The company
gave him spectacles but no compensation.
Lakhan Doraiburu, 70, heavy equipment fell on his leg while

working in the plant. No proper treatment was given to him for
his injury. He still has lot of pain in his legs. He recalls workers
in milling plant were given jaggery to eat. Many of his co-
workers in the plant died while working or after the closure of
the mines. Workers died of chest pain and spitting blood. No
count of how many workers died and of what disease. No
medical tests were done on workers while they were employed.
No information was divulged on the medical conditions of the
workers who were examined by the company doctors.
Indeed if there is one example of sheer corporate and

Government negligence, it is this.
I submit that workers who are exposed to asbestos and they

are suffering from asbestos-related diseases like asbestosis and
mesothalamia. Doctors call them TB patients, as they want to
save their employers from giving any compensation.
I submit that as per section 22 of the Air (Prevention and

Control of Pollution) Act 1981, all asbestos mines have to be
closed. The Hyderabad Industry Limited of the CK Birla Group
did not close their mines at Roro village at Chaibasa, Jharkhand.
The asbestos fibres that are blown into the wind, that seep into
the fields and rivers, still exist 30 years after the mines shut
down.
I submit that at present there is a moratorium on

grant/renewal of asbestos mines as per a letter of Government
of India dated July 9, 1986. What led do this continuing
moratorium? In the pre-moratorium era workers were knowingly

exposed to carcinogenic fibers of asbestos by a company which
had engaged them in the mining of asbestos.
I submit that the consistent failure of several institutions both
at the state and the national level is quite stark. None of the
institutions including Union Ministry of Mines, Government of
India seem to have heard about public health crisis that has
engulfed Roro.
I submit that there a case for complete ban on all kinds mining
of asbestos and ensuring legal and medical remedy for the
victims of occupational and non-occupational exposure to
asbestos. It must be noted that unless the company which
abandoned the asbestos mines is made accountable and liable
for its acts of omission and commission, the victims of asbestos
related diseases will not get justice in Roro and even in
manufacturing and other allied activities of the asbestos
industry.
In view of the above I urge you to undertake remedial

measures for present and future generations can be taken before
these victims of Jharkhand State get engulfed in the epidemic of
incurable but preventable asbestos related diseases. To begin
with a compensation fund and a remediation cell for abandoned
mines of Roro may be set up as it is of seminal importance to
prevent at least preventable diseases and deaths.
Your reply and considered advice in this matter will be eagerly
awaited.
Thanking You
Yours Sincerely
Gopal Krishna
Occupational Health India (OHI)
Posted by Gopal Krishna at 9:21 PM 4 comments:
Labels: Hazardous Industries
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Asbestos Importing and Exporting

Trends in India
Asbestos Importing and Exporting Trends in India

Since the 1800s, economic interests have driven the asbestos
industry. Asbestos is both a profitable powerhouse for the
companies that export it, and an inexpensive purchase for those
that import it. To make sure the market for the fibers stays
robust despite the many health risks that exposure can cause --
lobbyists have spent more than $100 million promoting their
interests with public health officials.
Sadly, it seems to be working. Because asbestos remains
affordable (and available in large quantities), it is especially
popular in rapidly developing nations such as India, China and
Brazil. India especially with companies on both ends of the
spectrum, and an asbestos lobby whose annual budget tops out
at $13 million faces a difficult battle in its future fight against
asbestos.
Indian Asbestos Imports
In 2010, India spent more than $427 million to import Canadian
asbestos products. (India is one of Canadas largest asbestos
customers.) And as astounding as that figure is, it only accounts
for half of the nations asbestos imports. In total, India imports
more than 600,000 tons of asbestos each year.
India sources asbestos from several other national asbestos
export leaders, including China, South Africa and Russia. India
currently stands as the worlds second largest consumer of
asbestos and some experts believe that the national market is
growing as quickly as 30 percent every year.
Indian asbestos imports are often sent to rural areas, where
they are used in home construction. Shingles, siding and flooring
products are often used for family houses and public buildings
especially in lower-income areas with access to fewer non-toxic
alternatives.
Indian Asbestos Exports
While India is one of the worlds largest asbestos importers,
the country is home to more than 1,000 of its own mines (and
more than 1 million asbestos workers). Indian asbestos mines
have operated (or continue to operate) in cities such as:
x Alwar
x Ajmer
x Pali
x Udaipur
x Dungarpur
x Cuddapah
x Shimogah
x Chickmagular
x Hasan
x Mysore
x Mandya
Other smaller mines dot the northern part of the nation. Here,
workers including many migrants extract the fibers from
mineral deposits in the ground and prepare it for sale, without
access to adequate respiratory protection.
Asbestos mines arent the only part of the industry that enjoys
major success in India. Many companies such as Visaka
Industries purchase raw fibers to incorporate into other
building products. With more than 400 asbestos cement factories
in Gujarat alone, repurposing asbestos into other exportable
products is also a booming trend in the Indian economy.
Faith Franz is a writer for The Mesothelioma Center. She likes

to spread the word about the benefits of alternative medicine.
Sources:
Simpson, J. (2010). Playing a Dirty Game: Exporting Asbestos.
The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/playing-a-dirty-
game-exporting-asbestos/article624675/
Morris, J. (2010). Exporting an Epidemic. The Center for Public
Integrity. Retrieved from
http://www.publicintegrity.org/2010/07/21/3401/exporting-
epidemic
Posted by Gopal Krishna at 9:16 PM No comments:
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Bhojpurs Asbestos factories in violation

of Supreme Court order dated January
27, 1995 in Asbestos Case
To
Shri Subhash Sharma,

Principal Secretary
Department of Labour
Government of Bihar
Patna
August 8, 2013
Subject-Bhojpurs Asbestos factories in violation of Supreme

Court order dated January 27, 1995 in Asbestos Case
Sir,
This is to inform you that even as the doctor of Ramco asbestos

companys factory continues to refuse to share the heath
records of workers with them, the strike by workers in Bhojpurs
Bihiya has entered 7th day amidst demand for the closure of
killer asbestos factory as it poses threat to villagers in its
vicinity. Earlier also the workers of these factories were on
strike on July 30, 2012 demanding medical attention. This was
communicated by Block Development Officer, Bihiya, Bhojpur on
August 1, 2012 to Sub Divisional Officer, Jagdishpur,
Bhojpur.The workers are again on strike for the last 7 days.
In contempt of Supreme Courts order dated January 27, 1995,

the company is not maintaining and maintaining the health
record of every worker, not conducting Membrane Filter test to
detect asbestos fibre and not insuring health coverage to every
worker. It is reliably learnt that the companys doctor Dr Radhey
Shyam Singh is not even qualified in occupational health to
undertake these tasks.
I submit that the company should be asked for a list of workers

employed in the factory, their health records and the
qualification of the doctor assigned to undertake their health
checkup.
In Bhojpurs Bihiya, the two plants have been set up with a

120,000 MT/Annum capacity of Asbestos Cement Sheet Plant and
2 00000 MT/Annum capacity of Asbestos Grinding Plant. The
total project area is 20 acres and land is allotted by the state
government on lease for 90 years. In the minutes dated May 10,
2010, Experts Appraisal Committee (EAC), Industrial Projects
made explicit reference to Health Management Plan for
Mesothalimoa, Lung cancer and Asbestosis related problems in
asbestos industries.
The plants have been established by Tamil Nadu based Ramco
Industries Ltd. The second plant at Bihiya does not seem to have
the clearance or consent to establish still it is operating. The
legal status of the second plant at the same site with a 2 Lakh
MT/Annum Capacity of Cement Grinding Plant remains
questionable.
I submit that in an ongoing case in the Patna High Court all

three plants of asbestos plants of Bhojpur including the one at
Giddha, Koilwar are being cited to challenge State Governments
cancellation of asbestos based factory in Vaishali. The matter
will be heard again on 13th of August, 2013 in the Civil Writ
Jurisdiction Case No.9064 of 2013.
I submit that Utkal Asbestos Limited (UAL) which is operating an

asbestos factory at Giddha, Koilwar, Bhojpur too is not
complying with the Honble Courts order. The plants location
behind a B Ed College is a constant threat to human health. It
may be noted that District Magistrate, Bhojpur has undertaken a
probe of this factory along with a team of district administration
in compliance of orders from the State Government.
He was informed that the factory is running with conducting any
public hearing. In June 2013 a worker was crushed to death in
this very factory. The District Magistrate, Bhojpur undertook a
visit to the plant against the backdrop of this incident. The
company should be asked for a list of workers employed in the
factory, their health records and name and qualification of the
doctor assigned to undertake their health checkup.
I submit that the attached order of the Honble Supreme Court

reads: All the industries are directed
(1) To maintain and keep maintaining the health record of
every worker up to a minimum period of 40 years from the
beginning of the employment or 15 years after retirement or
cessation of the employment whichever is later;
(2) The Membrane Filter test, to detect asbestos fibre should
be adopted by all the factories or establish- ments at par with
the Metalliferrous Mines Regulations, 1961; and Vienna
Convention and Rules issued thereunder;
(3) All the factories whether covered by the Employees State
Insurance Act or Workmen's Compensation Act or otherwise are
directed to compulsorily insure health coverage to every worker;
(4) The Union and the State Governments are directed to
review the standards of permissible exposure limit value of
fibre/cc in tune with the international standards reducing the
permissible content as prayed in the writ petition referred to at
the beginning. The review shall be continued after every 10
yews and also as an when the I.L.O. gives directions in this

behalf consistent with its recommendations or any Conventions;
(5) The Union and all the State Governments are directed to
consider inclusion of such of those small scale factory or
factories or industries to protect health hazards of the worker
engaged in the manufacture of asbestos or its ancillary produce;
(6) The appropriate Inspector of Factories in particular of the
State of Gujarat, is directed to send all the workers, examined
by the concerned ESI hospital, for re-examination by the
National Institute of Occupational Health to detect whether all
or any of them are suffering from asbestosis. In case of the
positive Ending that all or any of them ant suffering from the
occupational health hazards, each such worker shall be entitled
to compensation in a sum of rupees one lakh payable by the
concerned factory or industry or establishment within a period
of three months from the date of certification by the National
Institute of Occupational Health.
I submit that the last direction creates a logical compulsion for

Inspector of Factories of the State of Bihar to get the workers of
Bihiya based asbestos factory examined for asbestos related
diseases and ensure enhanced and just compensation for them.
I wish to draw your attention towards the fact sheet of World

Health Organization (WHO) available 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 in compliance of the Honble Courts order the

work of WHO and International Labour Organization (ILO) must
be taken cognisance of by Bihar 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. The relevant ILO
resolution and WHO document is attached.
I submit that the concept paper by Union Ministry of Labour

presented at the 5th India-EU Joint Seminar on Occupational
Safety and Health saying "The Government of India is
considering the ban on use of chrysotile asbestos in India to
protect the workers and the general population against primary
and secondary exposure to Chrysotile form of Asbestos." It has
noted that "Asbestosis is yet another occupational disease of the
Lungs which is on an increase under similar circumstances
warranting concerted efforts of all stake holders to evolve
strategies to curb this menace". The paper is attached and is
available here:
http://labour.nic.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Divisions/LC%
26ILAS/Background%20note.pdf
It may be noted that Supreme Courts judgment of January 27,

1995 in the Writ Petition (Civil) No. 206 of 1986 refers to the
book of Dr Castleman, at paragraph 18, reads: In Asbestos
Medical and Legal Aspects by Barry I. Castleman at p.10 had
stated that Dr. Merewether following the diagnosis by Homburter
in his coincidence of Primary Carcinoma at the Lungs and
Pulmonary Asbestos 1943 stated that fibrosis of the lungs as it
occurs among asbestos workers as the slow growth of fibrous
tissue (scar tissue) between the air cells of the lungs whenever
the inhaled dust comes to rest. While new fibrous tissue is being
laid down like a spider's web that deposited earlier gradually
contract. This fibrous tissue is not only useless as a substitute for
the air cells, but with continued inhalation of the causative
dust, by its invasion of new territory and consolidation of that
already occupied, it gradually, and literally strangles the
essential tissues of the lungs.
I submit that in compliance with the Honble Courts order

Union Ministry of Labour& Employment has constituted an
Advisory Committee to implement the order.
It may be recalled that Justice (Retd) Rekha Kumari, Patna

High Court has advised that companies which willfully expose
human beings to cancer causing fibers of asbestos must be made
criminally liable because right to health is part of right to life as
per Honble Supreme Courts order in her attached lecture on
December 24, 2012 at A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies,
Patna. Shri Awadesh Narain Singh, Chairman, Bihar Legislative
Council on December 24, 2012 contended that buying asbestos
is buying akin to buying cancer. I will get asbestos removed from

my residence at this very conference. He added, the ache of
asbestos hazards is worse than the ache of unemployment. The
video documentation of his speech is available on
www.youtube.com.
I submit that asbestos based plants have already been stopped

by the villagers of Muzaffarpur and Vaishali. Human biology is
same everywhere, how can same thing be deemed poisonous and
hazardous in one district and non-poisonous and non- hazardous
in Bhojpur.
It may be noted that Chairperson, Bihar State Pollution Control

Board (BSPCB) has cancelled the consent to establish given to
West Bengal based Utkal Asbestos Company in Vaisahli. This was
undertaken as a follow up of instruction from the Honble Chief
Minister dated February 13, 2013. Its cancellation order is
attached.
I am an applicant in the related matter in the National Human

Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking environmental and
occupational health justice for the workers, their families and
consumers who are becoming victims of incurable asbestos
related diseases
In view of the above, I wish to request you to urgently

intervene in the matter of ongoing strike in Bhojpurs plants in
Bihiya to ensure that workers health is protected and to ensure
compliance of Honble Courts order at Gidhha based plant as
well.
Thanking You
Yours Sincerely
Gopal Krishna
Occupational Health India (OHI)
E-mail:gopalkrishna1715@gmail.com,
Web:www.toxicswatch.org
Cc
Dr. Mrutyunjay Sarangi, Secretary, Union Ministry of
Labour
Shri Anup Chandra Pandey Chairman, Advisory Committee
on Asbestos, Union Ministry of Labour
Dr. R.B. Raidas, Dy.Director General,Directorate

General, Factory Advice and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI)
Dr Vyasji Mishra, Principal Secretary, Health,
Government of Bihar
Dr. V.M. Katoch, Secretary, Department of Health
Research & Director GeneralIndian Council of Medical
Research (ICMR), Union Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare
Prof. Subhash Chandra Singh, Chairman, Bihar State
Pollution Control Board
Dr. G.K. Rath, Head of Department of Radio Oncology,
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
Shri, Suresh Kumar Sinha, Labour Commissioner,
Department of Labour, Government of Bihar Shri
Abhimanyu Sharma, Lawyer, Patna High Court
Posted by Gopal Krishna at 5:58 AM 1 comment:
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Fernanda Giannasi,
Leader, Global Ban
Asbestos
Movenment
Erin Brockovich of Brazil,

Fernanda is a symbol of the
struggle to ban asbestos in
Latin America and in the
world. She is the co-founder
of Ban Asbestos Network of
India (BANI). She leads the
struggle of 3500 workers who
have filed lawsuits against the
industry. Criminal charges
driven by economic interests
have been filed against
Giannasi for slander by
Eternit, the biggest asbestos
producer in Brazil, and by
supporters of the French
multinational Saint-Gobain.
She has suffered pressure from
the Canadian government, the
worlds largest exporter, and
has been the subject of death
threats. In the USA and
Europe, her work is well
known and respected.
Giannasi has successfully
widened the world discussion.
According to Giannasi, I
defend an immediate world
ban on the production,
marketing and use of
asbestos.
Laurie Allen Kazan,

Coordinator.
International Ban
Asbestos
Secretariat since
1999
One cannot think of ban

asbestos struggles in the world
without rferring to Laurie's
body of work. She is the editor
of the British Asbestos
Newsletter.
Annie Thbaud-
Mony, Founder,
Ban Asbestos
France (BAF)
Annie who was in India in the

first week of March is also
research director at the
National Institute of Medical
Health and Research, Paris.
Folliwng efforts by BAF,
France banned asbestos in
1997. Annie says, "Asbestos
entrepreneurs know exactly

what the health consequences
would be." Both BAF and Ban
Asbestos Network of India
(BANI) successfully
collaborated in the case of
asbestos laden Le Clemenceau
case.
Dr Irving Selikoff,
Director, Mount
Sinai School of
Medicine, New
York
Selikoff had been studying the

effects of occupational
asbestos since the 1950s. He
was disturbed by what his
research showed, especially in
asbestos mining and in
shipyards. One study turned
up an alarming statistic:
Asbestos insulation workers,
including those who worked in
the shipyards were dying of an
asbestos-related cancer called
mesothelioma at a rate 344
times higher than the general
population. He described the
lethal dust of the fibrous
mineral as ``a hidden time
bomb.''. He co-discovered a
cure for tuberculosis and is
largely responsible for the
regulation of asbestos In the
1960's he documented
asbestos-related diseases
amongst industrial workers,
his research pressured OSHA
to limit workplace exposure.
He received awards from the
American Public Health
Association, the New York
Academy of Sciences, and the
American Cancer Society.
Even at the age of 75, he
continued to research the
effects of asbestos. He died
on May 20, 1992.
Dr Barry
Castleman, Author
of "Asbestos:
Medical and Legal
Aspects"
Anybody who talks about

controlled asbestos use is
either a liar or a fool, said
Barry Castleman, an
environmental consultant
based near Washington who
advises the WHO on asbestos
matters. Industry-funded
science on chrysotile began in
earnest in the mid-1960s,
when damning studies on
asbestos cast unwanted
scrutiny on Quebecs then-
thriving mines. Minutes of the
Quebec Asbestos Mining
Associations November 1965
meeting suggest that the
group saw the tobacco
industry as a paradigm: It
was recalled that the
tobacco industry launched its
own (research) program and it
now knows where it stands.
Industry is always well advised
to look after its own
problems. In his book
"Asbestos: Medical and Legal
Aspects" which is deemed the
most authoritative text book,
he has exposed the designs of
the asbestos industry. Barry
Castleman has degrees in
chemical engineering (BES)
and environmental
engineering (MSE) from the
Johns Hopkins University, and
a doctorate (ScD) from the
Johns Hopkins School of Public
Health. He works on the
regulation of asbestos and
toxic chemicals in the
workplace and the

environment. He has been an
independent consultant since
1975, working for numerous
U.S. governmental agencies,
international organizations,
environmental non-
governmental organizations,
and attorneys in compensation
suits over occupational and
environmental illness from
asbestos. His special areas of
research and activity as a
public interest scientist have
been: the history, regulation,
and global aspects of asbestos
as a public health and
environmental hazard; the
historic involvement of
corporations and regulatory
use of Threshold Limit Values
as occupational exposure
limits; corporate influence,
undisclosed conflicts of
interest, and development of
guidelines in the selection of
expert panels by international
scientific organizations; the
export of hazardous
industries, products and
wastes to developing
countries; and the double
standards of global
corporations in the transfer of
technology around the world.
He is active in efforts to bring
about bans on the use of new
asbestos products all over the
world. He is a fellow of The
Collegium Ramazzini is an
independent, international
academy founded in 1982 by
Irving J. Selikoff, Cesare
Maltoni and other eminent
scientists.
NHRC Acts on TWA's

Asbestos Complaint
Occupational Health
India (OHI) Ban-
Asbestos-India
Canada's Ugly Secret
NHRC issues notices to
ministries over Asbestos
usage
NHRC issues notice on
white asbestos to govt
ministries
Asbestos-related
cancer: NHRC notice to
health, environment
ministries
NHRC notice to Centre,

State Govts on
Prohibiting Use of white
Asbestos
NHRC notice to states
on banning use of
asbestos
Occupational Health
India (OHI) Ban-
Asbestos-India
Occupational Health
India (OHI) Ban-
Asbestos-India
Web banasbestosindia.blogspot.com
Search
Jukka Takala,
Director, European
Agency for Safety &
Health at Work
Formerly with ILO, referring

to pro-asbestos campaign,
Jukka Takala said,Its totally
unethical. Its almost
criminal. Asbestos cannot be
used safely. It is clearly a
carcinogen. It kills people.
S A Bhimaraja,
Chairman, Nibhi
Industries
S A Bhimaraja, Chairman of
Nibhi Industries is the owner
of Bhojpur's Gidha asbestos
factory. He was the Vice
chairman Asbestos Cement
Products Manufacturers
Association (ACPMA) and the
Director of Ramco Industries
till December 2008. Ramco
Industries has set up two
asbestos plants in Bihiya,
Bhojpur. P.R Venketrama Raja
is the Managing Director of
Ramco Industries. Notably,
Bhimaraja's Gidha asbestos
factory is surrounded by wall
writings of Venketrama Raja's
Ramco Industries.
Footprints
P R Venketrama
Raja, Managing
Director, Ramco
Asbestos Industries
Amidst bitter opposition

Ramco has built two asbestos
plants in Bihiya, Bhojpur,
Bihar. Ramco Industries is part
of RAMCO group of companies
entered the asbestos cement
field in 1967. Ramco's first
asbestos cement sheet plant
was set up at Arakkonam
(Tamil Nadu) in 1967. The
second sheet plant was
commissioned at Karur
(Karnataka) in 1974 followed
by one more sheet plant at
Maksi (Madhya Pradesh) in
1987. A plant for the
manufacture of AC pressure
pipes in 5 metres length and
in diametres of 80 mm to 1000
mm was established at Maksi
(MP) in 1983. RIL is operating
the most modern fibre cement
roofing sheets and pipe plants
in India today - in Arakkonam,
Tamil Nadu; Karur, Karnataka;
Maksi, Madhya Pradesh;
Silvassa, Union Territory of
Dadra & Nagar Haveli;
Kharagpur, West Bengal;
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh;
Sinugra, Gujarat. The present
aggregate capacity for Fibre
Cement Sheets is 5 lakh
tonnes per annum and Fibre
Cement Pressure Pipe is 30
lakh tonnes per annum. Its
turnover is around Rs. 300
crores and it employs about
1500 persons. RIL has also set
up a most advanced plant in
Srilanka.
Moments
Clment Godbout,
President,
Chrysotile
Institute, Canada
Anchored by the Montreal-

based Chrysotile Institute, the
network stretches from New
Delhi to Mexico City to the
city of Asbest in Russias Ural
Mountains. Its message is that
asbestos can be used safely
under mythical controlled
conditions. A global network
of lobby groups has spent
nearly $100 million since the
mid-1980s to preserve the
international market for
asbestos, a known carcinogen
thats taken millions of lives
and is banned in 55 countries,
the International Consortium
of Investigative Journalists has
found in a nine-month
investigation. As a result,
asbestos use is growing rapidly
in countries such as China and
India, prompting health
experts to warn of future
epidemics of lung cancer,
asbestosis and mesothelioma,
an aggressive malignancy that
usually attacks the lining of
the lungs. The World Health
Organization says that 125
million people still encounter
asbestos in the workplace, and
the United Nations
International Labor
Organization estimates that
100,000 workers die each year

from asbestos-related
diseases. Thousands more
perish from exposures outside
the workplace. Chrysotile
Institute assists New Delhi
based Chrysotile Asbestos
Products Manufacturers and
Asbestos Information Centre
to spread the misiformation
about safe and controlled use
of asbestos.
South Asian Ban

Asbestos Network
(SABAN)
BanAsbestosAndhra
BanAsbestosJharkhand
BanAsbestosGoa
BanAsbestosUP
BanAsbestosKerala
BanAsbestosTamilNadu
BanAsbestosRajasthan
BanAsbestosGujarat
BanAsbestosOdisha
BanAsbestosWestBengal
Ban Asbestos Bihar
(BAB)
THE WHITE ASBESTOS
(BAN ON USE AND
IMPORT) BILL, 2009
HUMAN HEALTH RISK
ASSESSMENT STUDIES IN
ASBESTOS BASED
INDUSTRIES IN INDIA
ILO Ban Asbestos
Resolution
Environmental Health
Criteria 203; Chrysotile
Asbetos
WHO ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH CRITERIA 203
ILO Asbestos
Convention, 1986
Health Canada on
Chrysotile Asbestos
BanAbestosMaharashtra
Health Matters
ASBESTOS CRISIS
WHO FactSheet on
Elimination of Asbestos-
related Diseases
Ban on Asbestos is
a Must
A study in a peer-reviewed
journal had earlier estimated
that there could be more than
6,000 workers affected by
asbestosis (an untreatable
lung ailment) and another 600
suffering at the minimum from
asbestosis-related lung cancer
in India at present.
Occupational cancer from
asbestos, the disease caused
by emissions at the work
place, poses an increasingly
serious health problem. But
the subject has attracted
relatively little attention from
industry, labour, public health
bodies or the medical
profession. Asbestos is one of
the single largest sources of
occupational cancer. Indian
polticians are acting as if they
are bonded workers of
asbestos industry.
Dr G Vivekananda,
MP, Peddapalli,
Andhra Pradesh &
Managing Director,
Visaka Industries
Vivekanada, an industrialist
has been elected to the Lok
Sabha for the first time as a
candidate from Indian
National Congress in the 2009
elections. Vivekanand has
declared his total assets to be

over Rs 72 crore (Rs
72,95,09,682) to the the
Election Commission. He is the
promoter of asbestos roofing
company. He is the son of
Congress leader & former
Union Textile Minister, G
Venkataswamy. Visaka
Industries started
manufacturing asbestos
products in 1985 in
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. It
acquired Shakthi Roofings,
another asbestos
manufacturer, by issuing 20
lakh shares to the promoters.
The value of the acquisition at
the current share price
worked out to Rs. 19 crore.
For establishing a new
asbestos company it would
cost about Rs. 35 crore. But
this acquisition would
straightway add a turnover of
Rs. 45-50 crore to the
company. It has decided to
sell its garment unit located in
Chennai, including land, to
mobilise funds for the
expansion of its asbestos
business. He is also the
founder of Vishakha Trust.
Fernanda Gianassi,
a symbol of the
struggle for global
ban asbestos
movement
Giannasi has successfully

widened the world discussion.
Giannasi says, I defend an
immediate world ban on the
production, marketing and use

of asbestos.
Ban Asbestos India

asbestos mesothelioma
resource
International Ban
Asbestos Secretariat
(IBAS)
Building and Wood
Workers' International
International
Federation of Building
and Wood Workers
European Public Health
Association
American Public Health
Association
Weekly Toll
Ban Asbestos Canada
(BAC)
hazards
International Agency for
Research on Cancer
(IARC)
Asbestos Bans
asbestosblog
Sonia Gandhi,
President, Indian
National Congres &
MP from Rae
Bareli, Uttar
Pradesh
Gandhi has been misled to

support killer asbestos
industry. She is the
Chairperson of ruling United
Progressive Alliance (UPA).
Shunned by the world,
asbestos makes Sonia Gandhi's
turf its new home. Hyderabad
asbestos major Visaka
Industries, run by Congress
leader G Venkataswamys
family has opened asbestos
cement plant in Rae Bareli
signalling patronage the
asbestos industry enjoys at
the highest political level.
Acting on a brief from her at
the 4th Conference of Parties
of the UN's Rotterdam
Convention in Rome, India
obstructed putting chrysotile
asbestos in the prior informed
consent (pic) list, exploiting
the consensus process of the
convention. The consensus
process ensured that voices of
developing countries were
heard. On chrysotile asbestos
India took refuge in the
discredited study of nioh.
India argued that till the
time the nioh study is
completed, which will be in
next two years (2010), we will
not be in position to take a
decision on listing of
chrysotile. Information
sought under the Right to
Information Act, 2005
revealed the hypocrisy and
vested interests behind the

study. This supposedly
scientific study was being
part-sponsored, reviewed and
vetted by those who stood to
gain or lose from it. Nine
independent scientists, who
reviewed the interim reports
and draft of the study, termed
it fundamentally flawed in its
design, methodology and
execution.
G Venkataswamy,
Senior
Congressmen &
father of G
Vivekananda
He owns Visaka Industries that

manufactures asbestos
products. He was the deputy
leader of Congress in the 14th
Lok Sabha and a former Union
Textile Minister. He claims to
be a Trade Unionist .
Killer Fiber
OccupationalHealthIndi
a
OEHN
OEHN, India
Russian Asbestos
Information Source
Refuting Industry
Claims That Chrysotile
Asbestos Is Safe
Asbestos Products News
Chrysotile Asbestos
Institute
Rotterdam Convention
Updates
Govt urged to take
lesson from South
Africa and ban asbestos
White asbestos
continues to be in use
in India
Worlds Cheapest,
Smallest CarBut Is It
Asbestos-Free
Statement of Support
for the Ban Asbestos in
America Act of 2007
Submission on Asbestos
before Independent
People's Tribunal on the
World Bank Group
Asbestos, the biggest
killer in the workplace
Asbestos poisoning at
India shipyards
Asbestos kills
Americans, Europeans,
Australians & Japanese
but not Indians
Say no to white
asbestos
Killer Asbestos:
Breathtaking negligence
Asbestos, the Silent
Killer
Asbestos-Is-A-
Carcinogen
Canadas asbestos
exports immoral
Asbestos: Kill the
people, protect the
industry
India still uses
Amphibole Asbestos
along with Chrysotile
BANI Condemns Indian
Government's Double
Speak on Asbestos
Doctoring asbestos
study to promote its
use
A government under an
asbestos roof
White asbestos, a
health time bomb
Use of Russian &
Canadian Asbestos
Rising in India
Indias Position on
Chrysotile Asbestos
Dictated by Vested
Interests!
India's Asbestos Time
Bomb
Rotterdam Convention
Asbestos Facts
Supporters of
Chrysotile Asbestos
Industry in India
If Indian government opposes

inclusion of Chrysotile
asbestos in the PIC list of
Rotterdam Convention on
Hazardous Chemicals at the
upcoming UN meeting in Rome
even if it means being anti-
worker, anti-people and anti-
science, it would not be
surprising at all. While
presenting the Union Budget
(1995-96), Manmohan Singh,
Union Minister of Finance
expressed his support for the
asbestos industry on 15th
March, 1995 saying, I am also
proposing reduction in excise
duty in certain areas of
general consumption on
asbestos fibres from 20% to
10% and on asbestos cement
articles from 30% to 25%.
This trend of making asbestos
and its products artificially
cheaper with the blessings of
Sonia Gandhi continues till
today with the active support
of Union Commerce Ministry
and Union Finance Ministry
even as Union Health Minister
expresses his helplessness to
ban use of cancer causing
asbestos fiber in the
parliament. It is noteworthy
that Manmohan Singh holds
the portfolio of the
Environment Ministry. All the
institutions that could act
against Chrysotile asbestos has
been sabotaged. Asbestos
plants in Raebarely show the
political patronage the
industry enjoys despite the
fact that asbestos is banned in
Italy.Interestingly, Shah
Commission - set up to
investigate the Emergency's
excesses noted that during
Emergency (1975-77), Navin

Chawla (currently Election
Commissioner) wanted to
construct Tihar jail cells with
asbestos roofs wherein
opposition leaders who were
arrested under Maintenance of
Internal Security Act (MISA)
were to be kept. A proposal
to this effect was also
processed but given up
eventually due to certain
technical reasons." Shah
Commission was a commission
of inquiry appointed by
Government of India in 1977
headed by Justice J.C. Shah.
Pat Martin,
Canadian
Parliamentarian
Martin, an opposition
politician who is campaigning
for asbestos to be added to
the UN's hazardous chemicals
list says, Asbestos, the highly
toxic fire retarding mineral,
will not be placed on a global
blacklist and will be freely
traded for at least the next
three years. Pressure from
major producer Canada and
several developing country
importers will prevent
diplomats meeting in Rome
this week from adding
chrysotile asbestos to a list of
substances recognized as
particularly hazardous.
Chrysotile is the only type of
asbestos that is still widely
used, mainly in building
products in developing
countries. Referring to the
Rotterdam Convention's 4th
meeting underway he says, "I

can safely say that the
initiative is doomed this time".
Michael Clapham,
House of Commons,
UK
Speaking on 'CONTROLS ON
ASBESTOS' Clapham said, "That
this House notes that it is
some time since the Interim
Chemical Review Committee
(ICRC), a part of the United
Nations Environmental
Programme, recommended
that all forms of asbestos
should be subject to strict
international controls to
eliminate the risk associated
with the material; is shocked
that although white asbestos
was nominated by the ICRC for
inclusion in the Prior Informed
Consent (PIC) list of the
Rotterdam Convention its
entry on the list was stalled in
2006 by national governments
led by Canada; is concerned
that some international trades
unions have reported an
increase in asbestos diseases
in Latin America and Asia
particularly India; believes
that parliaments and their
members have a responsibility
to ensure that decent work for
a fair globalisation includes
the right not to be exposed to
hazardous materials; and calls
on the UK Government to take
the lead in pressing for white
asbestos to be included in the
Rotterdam Convention PIC list
as a prelude to a global ban of

what has been called the most
pervasive environmental
hazard in the world". He was
supported by 89 signatures of
fellow MPs
World Trade
Center, New York
collapsed
Thousands of tons
of asbestos became
airborne.
Back in 1981, there was

research coming out that
Asbestos was cancer causing
and this ad was in rebuttal to
that research touting the
benefits of using Asbestos.
The text over the Twin Towers
states, "When the Fire Alarm
Went Off, It Took Two Hours
to Evacuate New York's World
Trade Center." I do not need
to remind anyone of the
images of September 11th and
this ad. The copy below the ad
goes on to mention all of the
places that Asbestos was used
in the World Trade Center. I
can not not think of all of the
innocent victims in the area
that were exposed to all of
the dust, smoke and inherent
asbestos that was in the air
after the buildings collapsed.

The cloud of smoke went
across the entire city and
potentially exposed hundreds
of thousands of individuals to
asbestos. Hopefully there can
be a cure or treatment for
Mesothelioma before all of
these potential victims are
diagnosed.
Ban Use of
Asbestos Products
Afer EU, Australia, Japan &

others, US pases legislation to
Ban Asbestos in its country.
Abhaya Shankar,
Managing Director,
Hyderabad
Industries Ltd
(HIL).
Ironically, HIL organised a

panel discussion on Green
Habitats: Selection of Green
Materials --- Strategy &
Criterion on 15th July, 2009
wherein people like Ramesh
Nair, managing director Janes
Lang LaSalle Maghraj, Nitin
Killawala, architect, Pradeep
Kumar, Civil engineer & senior
fellow & advisor CRSBS (TERI),
P K Jha, special secretary to
Govt of AP (Municipal
administration & Urban
Development) and S N
Chavala, an architect
participated. In a sponsored
event like this one is sure no
one would have raised the

issue of hazards from asbestos
building materials which HIL
manufactures. Not
surprisingly, they maintained
a studied silence even when
the brand name Charminar
(asbestos roofs being
promoted in urban and rural
India) was mentioned.
Speaking at a news conference
jointly organised by HIL and
the Asbestos Cement Products
Manufacturers Association
(ACPMA) in Hyderabad on June
19, 2009, Abhaya Shankar said
non-governmental
organisations from the
western countries such as
Ban Asbestos Network have
identified India as one of the
most important countries to
launch agitation in, seeking a
ban on the use of asbestos.
We suspect the rich and
powerful steel lobby and some
lawyers in the US are behind
this kind of propaganda, he
said. HIL are adopting
stringent safety measures. The
exposure levels are 10 times
lower than what is permitted
by the World Health
Organisation, he said. Due to
the need to provide housing to
the poor, developing countries
such as India should continue
to use asbestos sheets, he
added. Although asbestos of
all forms including chrysotile
asbestos has been on over 50
countries on health grounds,
companies like HIL and
associations like ACPMA have
launched a misinformation
campaign to promote the use
of killer fibers of asbestos.
Apex Court
allocates meagre
compensation for
asbetsos victims
In 1995, the Supreme Court of

India fixed Rs 1 lakh
compensation amount and
identified National Institute of
Occupational Health (NIOH) as
the final authority to certify
asbestosis cases.
Compensations are given
through the Employees State
Insurance Corporation (ESIC).
Two workers in Ahmedabad
Electricity Company diagnosed
as having asbestosis by NIOH
have been compensated by
Gujarat High Court. Twenty-
five workers in asbestos
jointing and packing industry
at Mumbai were compensated
by the Special medical board
of ESIC. The court ruled that
the industrial units must
maintain a health record of
every worker up to a minimum
period of 40 years; insure
workers under the Employees
State Insurance Act or
Workmens Compensation Act
and give health coverage to
every worker.
Asbestos Victims
Every day estimated 30 deaths

in India is under way due to
the ongoing trade and use of
white asbestos. 'Asbestos' in
Greek means 'indestructible'.
Greeks called asbestos the
'magic mineral'. Asbestos is a
generic term, referring usually
to six kinds of naturally

occuring mineral fibres. Of
these six, three are used more
commonly. Chrysotile is the
most common, accounts for
almost 90 per cent of the
asbestos used in the industry,
but it is not unusual to
encounter Amosite or
Crocidolite as well. Though
Crocidolite asbestos is banned
in India, it can still be found
in old insulation material, old
ships that come from other
countries for wrecking in
India. All types of asbestos
tend to break into very tiny
fibre, almost microscopic. In
fact, some of them may be up
to 700 times smaller than
human hair. Because of their
small size, once released into
the air, they may stay
suspended in the air for hours
or even days. Asbestos fibres
are virtually indestructible.
They are resistant to
chemicals and heat, and are
very stable in the
environment. They do not
evaporate into air or dissolve
in water, and they do not
break down over time.
Because of its high durability
and with tensile strength
asbestos has been widely used
inconstruction and insulation
materials - it has been used in
over 3,000 different products.
Where do we use it? In India,
asbestos is used in
manufacture of pressure and
non pressure pipes used for
water supply, sewage,
irrigation and drainage system
in urban and rural areas,
asbestos textiles, laminated
products, tape, gland packing,
packing ropes, brake lining
and jointing used in core
sector industries such as
automobile, heavy equipment,
petro-chemicals, nuclear
power plants, fertilizers,
thermal power plants,
transportation, defence.
Everest Industries
(formerly Eternit
Everest & once
subsidiary of
Associated
Cements Company
[ACC)
ML Gupta is the Managing

Director of this company. It is
among the top three players
(in volume terms) in the
asbestos cement roofing
industry, competes with
companies such as Hyderabad
Industries, Ramco Industries
and Visaka Industries. It holds
16-17 per cent (in volume
terms) of the domestic market
share. About 80 per cent of
the company's revenue is
derived from the asbestos
segment. currently produces
four-lakh tonnes of roofing
sheets and 75,000 tonnes of
boards a year and has
manufacturing facilities in
Kymore (Madhya Pradesh),
Kolkata (West Bengal),
Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) and
Nashik (Maharashtra). It has
planned a new facility at
Bhagwanpur in Uttaranchal to
manufacture 50,000 tonnes of
fibre boards and one lakh
tonnes of roofing products per
annum to cater to the
northern markets. It has been
targeting the villages of Tamil
Nadu, for roofing sheets
besides Coimbatore, Erode,
Salem, Namakal, and Karur. It
plans to set up set up a
manufacturing unit at Roorkee
in Uttaranchal.
Dr Nikolai F.
Izmerov, Head,
Russian
Occupational
Health Institute,
Russia
Vladimir Putin government set

up a panel of experts to give
an opinion on a possible
Russian asbestos ban. The
panels report gave an
impassioned defence of
asbestos use. Dr Izmerov gave
a presentation on "Chrysotile.
Russian Experience in
Occupational Health" at the
International Conference on
Chrysotile in Montreal during
May 23 - 24, 2006. Russia
exported 152, 820 MT of
chrysotile asbestos to India in
2006.
C.K. Birla,
Chairman, G.P -
C.K. Birla group of
companies
Hyderabad Industries Limited

(HIL) that manufactures
asbetos products since 1947 is
part of the G.P - C.K. Birla
group of companies. C K Birla
is the grandson of the
founder, B.M. Birla and son of
Mr.G.P. Birla. Besides HIL,

C.K. Birla also heads National
Engineering Industries Ltd.,
Hindustan Motors, Orient
Paper & Industries Ltd.,
Gmmco Ltd, BirlaSoft Ltd.

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Make India Asbestos Free

For Asbestos Free India

Saturday, September 6, 2014

How the Asbestos industry is pushing its

Organization, the wider medical community and more than 50

of steel beams went up across the tree-studded landscape.

Canada's Quebec province was the world's biggest asbestos

statistics on how many people might be affected by asbestos.

asbestos entirely. Others including the United States have

Arun Saraf, the Indian asbestos association's chairman, said India

Some employees of Ramco's working factory said they were

factories said they were given masks only on inspection days,

David Bernstein, an American-born toxicologist based in Geneva,

Bihar's chief minister last year after prolonged agitation, but

"Many people are not aware of the effects, especially the

#Asbestos #Asbestos Industry #Asbestos industry in India

By Katy Daigle/Associated Press

Super September Bonanza

Thursday, May 1, 2014

NHRC seeks 'additional information'

India continues to ignore recommendations of ILO and WHO

Certified victims of asbestos related diseases in Gujarat yet

Bihar Chief Minister's intervention led to stoppage of

May 1, 2014: The National Human Rights Commission

The complainant has sought Commission's intervention for a

Dealing with Case No.:2951/30/0/2011, on March 31, 2014,

The Commission had issued notices to the Secretaries of

NHRC's direction reads: "A communication dated 17.5.2013

"Ms. Rashmi Virmani and Ms. Mukta Dutta, Counsel on behalf

The direction reads: "Registry to issue reminder to Director,

report sought for by the Commission within six weeks. The

Citing contradictory position of the Government on the

WHO and ILO have recommended ban on all form of asbestos

The complainant has also requested for grant of a

In his reply submitted to NHRC in this very case, Raman

Maheria, Joint Secretary, Labour and Employment

The reply reveals that "22 workers of Gujarat Composite Ltd,

The reply discloses that "Letters dated 24/12/2002,

The reply does not disclose that there is a case of 62 workers

The reply submits that Government of Gujarat has adopted

This Resolution concerning asbestos was adopted by the

In his reply Raman Maheria, Joint Secretary, Labour and

There are four terms of reference (TOR) of this Advisory

submits that "Use of Crocidolite and product containing this

In a separate evasive reply, V R Ghadge, Senior Environment

Even this somewhat lackadaisical letter which is confining

It is noteworthy that Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, the UN Special

be taken to handle asbestos-containing materials." Not

It has come to light from the Office Memorandum dated May

Meanwhile, following Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar's

Notably, as Bihar's Environment Minister and Deputy Chief

Minister, Sushil Kumar Modi had supported construction of

For Details: Gopal Krishna, ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA),

Thursday, September 5, 2013

OHI, TWA Letter to DGMS seeking relief

ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA)

Date: September 5, 2013

Subject-Seeking relief from the abandoned asbestos mines in

This is with reference to the presentation which I had made

This is to draw your kind attention towards the asbestos