| "Asbestos Cement (AC) is an eco-friendly
and safe product contrary to the popular belief that it is a health
hazard", says Joy Manglani, director, ACP Industries and
member of Asbestos Cement Products and Traders.
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals
made up of microscopic bundles of fibre occuring throughout the
planet in its natural state. We inhale 10000-15000 fibres a day
and as such human body is tuned to live with such doses of asbestos
fibres.
Complications arise only when asbestos is inhaled
in excess continuously over a prolonged period of 15-20 years.
But then anything in excess is harmful. The toxicity of the mineral
is so low that only after a long time can any complications arise,
if at all.
However, this does not hold good in case of asbestos
cement and even the International Agency for Research and Cancer
(IARC) has not listed AC as carcinogenic even though 80 per cent
of the fibre consumed goes into this industry. Moreover, almost
all other modern industries are listed as carcinogenic - be it
rubber, glass, metals, dyes, fuel, wood or plastic industry.
Workers associated with this industry do not
face any risk because the chances of their inhaling fibre is very
low as the fibres are bound to cement. Besides, workers are provided
with all kinds of precautions like masks, a closed circuit environment,
etc.
Applications of AC are in sheet-making used for
mass shelters and pipe-making used for carrying water and as storage
for carrying sewage. Both these products when compared to their
alternatives, for instance, steel or PVC pipes are highly cost-effective,
durable and energy-efficient. In fact, AC pipes and sheets
have been recommended by organisations like WHO and the World
Bank.
AC is an eco-friendly product as the raw materials
used are asbestos fibre, cement, fly ash (ash left after burning
coal) and water - all of which are primarily natural. Fly ash,
a waste from thermal power plants does not cause any kind of pollution
when used. Further, the manufacturing process locks in the fibre,
so it is not released in water pipelines of AC pipes, besides
asbestos fibre if ingested does not cause any harm. Its manufacture
does not involve any chemical reaction or heating. There are also
no effluents as everything is recycled and AC pipes need no corrosion
protection.
Regarding this misconception, Mr. Manglani states,
"The lobby controlling asbestos and AC had a vested interest
to remain monopolists and there were a lot of restrictions put
by the government. Secondly, the alternative material providers
were very strong".
But now we want to clear the prevalent myths
and misconceptions and let people know about the benefits of using
asbestos, he finally added.
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