*Press Release *
*Google restores Asbestos Free India site for public view * *TWA demands ban on manufacturing and usage of asbestos based products * *Death of worker in illegal asbestos based factory of Nibhi company in Giddha, Bhojpur merits inquiry * New Delhi: In a communication dated September 22, 2016, Google has informed that it has restored Asbestos Free India site. This was in response to the message sent to Google team by Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI), a sister association of ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA). The site was taken off public view following a complaint by a asbestos based company. In its message to Google, BANI communicated that “the truth about the hazards from asbestos exposure in India ought to remain in public domain in the interest of present and future generations. Asbestos is banned in over 50 countries because it causes incurable lung related diseases. In view of the same, the site may be approved for public view in public interest.” The site http://www.asbestosfreeindia.org is now available for public view. [image: https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif] In a related move, in a letter dated September 13, 2016 sent to Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, TWA has sought “ban on manufacturing and usage of asbestos based products”. In this letter TWA has disputed the factually inconsistent views expressed by Shri Bishwanath Sinha, Joint Secretary regarding ban on manufacturing and usage of asbestos based products. TWA appreciates minister’s TWA had given 12 suggestions to the minister on 16 July, 2016 asking him to “Stop giving environmental clearances to asbestos based factories and projects in keeping with the 19 page long Vision Statement on Environment and Human Health of your ministry which states ‘4.3.1 Environmental epidemiological studies are required to be carried out near to industrial estates and hazardous waste disposal sites to estimate the extent of health risks including from asbestos. Alternatives to asbestos may be used to the extent possible and use of asbestos may be phased out’.” The relevant URL of Vision Statement on Environment and Human Health is envfor.nic.in/sites/default/ files/visenvhealth.pdf It was following this letter that Anil Madhav Dave Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change told media on Aug 15, 2016 that "Since the use of asbestos is affecting human health, its use should gradually be minimised and eventually end. As far as I know, its use is declining. But it must end." The reporting of July 24, 2016 by media also followed this letter and BANI’s conclusive victory in getting permissions of asbestos based factories cancelled in Bihar. TWA has sought minister’s intervention to ensure strict compliance with this order and to get a Register of asbestos laden buildings prepared so that a road map can be prepared for their decontamination. The state ought to prepare a Register of those workers who handle asbestos and the victims of primary and secondary exposure from asbestos fibers. TWA has apprised the minister about the Concept Paper of Government of India presented at the EU-India Seminar that reveals that the Central Government is planning to eliminate asbestos from the country due to health reasons. It has drawn minister’s attention towards Supreme Court's order dated January 27, 1995 and World Health Organisation (WHO)'s outline for the Development of National Programmes for elimination of asbestos related diseases' make a case for stopping all asbestos based products to prevent the imminent public health crisis as a consequence of which more than 55 countries have banned all forms of asbestos. The Court's order is available at https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1657323/. This order has been reiterated in 2011 by the Court. It is significant that Secretary, Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh Administration has categorically informed National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) that “a. White Asbestos (Chrysotile Asbestos) is implicated in so many studies with the following diseases:-Mesothelioma (Cancer of Pleura), Lung Cancer, Peritoneal Cancer, Asbestosis, And also consider as cause of following cancers:- Ovarian Cancer, Laryngeal Cancer, Other Cancer b. Diseases are produced in the person involved in Asbestos Industry.” It states that “No. of cancer deaths due to asbestos requires further large scale study from India”. It informs, “It is definitely harmful material, causing cancer and other related diseases.” It quotes from *Pulmonary Medicine *journal saying, “Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals exploited commercially for their desirable physical properties. However, it has been proved beyond doubt that Asbestos is hazardous to humans. White asbestos has been found to have causal relationship with various diseases like pulmonary asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma leading to deaths of thousands of people every year.” Considering the risk, its use has been banned more than 50 countries including Japan, European Union and Australia and efforts are being made for its prohibition in many countries. The reply concludes saying, “Hence, use of white asbestos should be completely banned in India also and the same may be replaced by some safe alternative material.” Chandigarh Administration has realized the public health consequences of exposure to fibers of asbestos. In a separate reply Assistant Labour Commissioner, Union Territory, Chandigarh has referred to para 16 of the judgement of Supreme Court dated January 21, 2011 passed in Writ Petition (Civil) No.260 of 2004 wherein directions of January 27, 1995 in the Writ Petition (Civil) No. 206 of 1986 is required to be strictly adhered to. It further states, “In terms of the above judgement of this Court as well as reasons stated in this judgement, we hereby direct the Union of India and States to review safeguards in relation to primary as well as secondary exposure to asbestos keeping in mind the information supplied by the respective States in furtherance to the earlier judgement as well as fresh resolution passed by the ILO. Upon such review, further directions, consistent with law, shall be issued within a period of six months from the date of passing of this order.” As to ‘fresh resolution passed by the ILO’, it is noteworthy that “A Resolution concerning asbestos was adopted by the International Labour Conference at its 95th Session in 2006. Noting that all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, are classified as human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and expressing its concern that workers continue to face serious risks from asbestos exposure, particularly in asbestos removal, demolition, building maintenance, ship breaking and waste handling activities, it calls for: – the elimination of the future use of asbestos and the identification and proper management of asbestos currently in place as the most effective means to protect workers from asbestos exposure and to prevent future asbestos-related diseases and deaths.” TWA has submitted that the following recommendations of World Health Organisation for the minister’s consideration: "WHO recommendations on prevention of asbestos-related diseases: Bearing in mind that there is no evidence for a threshold for the carcinogenic effect of asbestos and that increased cancer risks have been observed in populations exposed to very low levels (5;9), the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop using all types of asbestos. Continued use of asbestos cement in the construction industry is a particular concern, because the workforce is large, it is difficult to control exposure, and in-place materials have the potential to deteriorate and pose a risk to those carrying out alterations, maintenance and demolition (5). In its various applications, asbestos can be replaced by some fibre materials (15) and by other products which pose less or no risk to health. Materials containing asbestos should be encapsulated and, in general, it is not recommended to carry out work that is likely to disturb asbestos fibres. If necessary, such work should be carried out only under strict preventive measures to avoid exposure to asbestos, such as encapsulation, wet processes, local exhaust ventilation with filtration, and regular cleaning. It also requires the use of personal protective equipment - special respirators, safety goggles, protective gloves and clothing - and the provision of special facilities for their decontamination (16). WHO is committed to work with countries towards elimination of asbestos-related diseases in the following strategic directions: - by recognizing that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos; - to provide information about solutions for replacing asbestos with safer substitutes and developing economic and technological mechanisms to stimulate its replacement; - to take measures to prevent exposure to asbestos in place and during asbestos removal (abatement); - to improve early diagnosis, treatment, social and medical rehabilitation of asbestos-related diseases and to establish registries of people with past and/or current exposures to asbestos. W HO strongly recommends planning for and implementation of these measures as part of a comprehensive national approach for elimination of asbestos-related diseases. Such an approach should also include: developing national profiles; awareness raising; capacity building; an institutional framework; and a national plan of action for elimination of asbestos-related diseases. W HO will collaborate with ILO on the implementation of the Resolution on Asbestos, adopted by the Ninety-fifth Session of the International Labour Conference (17) and will work other intergovernmental organizations and civil society towards elimination of asbestos-related diseases worldwide." The relevant WHO document is available at: http://www.who.int/ occupational_health/publications/asbestosrelateddiseases.pdf It is noteworthy that Kerala Human Rights Commission has passed an order with the following recommendations: a) The State Government will replace asbestos roofs of all school buildings under its control with country tiles in a phased manner. b) The Government will take steps to see that the schools run under the private management also replace the asbestos roofs with country tiles by fixing a time frame. c) The Government should see that in future no new school is allowed to commence its functions with asbestos roofs. In a disturbing development it has reliably been learnt that about a week back, one worker (a resident of Basudevpur, Bihiya, Bhojpur) died in the asbestos based factory of Tamil Nadu based Nibhi Industries Pvt Ltd situated in Gidhha, Koilwar, Bhojpur. In a manifest case of environmental lawlessness although No Objection Certificate given by the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) to this factory in question has been cancelled by BSPCB. This is the second incident wherein a worker has died without the company providing just compensation. Earlier, one worker had died in this factory in June 2013. The death of the worker in this illegal asbestos based factory of Nibhi company merits inquiry. In view of such facts, TWA has asked the minister to seek strict adherence with ministry's own Vision Statement on Environment and Human Health and pursue remedial measures for present and future generations before children get engulfed in the epidemic of incurable but preventable asbestos related diseases. This is of seminal importance to prevent preventable diseases and deaths. The ministry can take steps for elimination of asbestos factories by denying them environmental clearance. *For Details*: Gopal Krishna, BANI/ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA), Mb: 09818089660, 08227816731, Email: [email protected], Web: http://www.asbestosfreeindia.org, www.toxicswatch.org -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
