IF THE USE OF ASBESTOS UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS IS SAFE THEN WHY IS THE SCARE ABOUT ITS USE BEING RAISED?

Really, there is no basis for the scare.

The bias against the use of asbestos is due to the adverse western media coverage, which relates to altogether different applications of asbestos or products that were made in the west on the yesteryears, ie, sprayed on asbestos and friable low-density insulations when asbestos was used under entirely uncontrolled conditions. These conditions no longer exist now when such uses of asbestos have been prohibited and appropriate work place controls have been instituted but the bias persists as the old data/information is still being used by the western media, which in turn, is being picked up in India. OR this could be the result of the wrong and misleading publicity against the asbestos - based products.

IS IT TRUE THAT ASBESTOS - CONTAINING PRODUCTS ARE BANNED IN THE WEST?

Some countries have phased out certain applications of asbestos where its ‘controlled use’ has not been possible, eg, Sprayed - on asbestos, friable low - density insulation boards, and use of crociodlite (blue asbestos) has been prohibited. This is in conformity with the ILO convention. Also, in some of these western countries political pressures, originating from vested interests that are administered by the “green” but coordinated and financially supported by substitute fibre industries, especially the chemicals ones and the adverse media coverage which is totally ill- informed, failing to distinguish scientific facts from fiction and, which is sometimes even badly intentioned has resulted in decline/and or discontinuation of asbestos. There is NO blanket ban as such on the asbestos in the West.

In a country like the U.S.A. ban on the manufacture and use of any hazardous product without sufficient scientific evidence is not possible. For example the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) proposed Rule to phase out the use of asbestos at staged intervals was struck down by the U.S. court of Appeals in 1991. Stating that “EPA failed to muster substantial evidence to support its Rule” and that its action was NOT based on a scientific valid assessment of the health evidence. Subsequently in March 1993, the EPA authorized the continued import or manufacture and use of asbestos containing products in the U.S.A.

IS ASBESTOS IMPORTANT FOR THE COUNTRY?

Yes, asbestos - based products play a vital role in the growth of the key and priority sectors of the Indian Industry. Asbestos cement sheets go a long way to achieve national goals of providing low cost and cost effective domestic and industrial shelters. With an equitable social cost, asbestos cement pipes are still most cost effective for water supply, sewerage, irrigation and drainage systems to urban and rural areas in a developing country like ours. The balance asbestos is used in specialized industrial applications, such as, automobiles, heavy equipment, petrochemicals, nuclear projects, fertilizers, power, transportation, defence, aerospace, steel mills etc.

In essence, asbestos based products currently on the market eminently meet the needs of the country in its developing economy in the context of rapidly rising population, rapid urbanisation and limited resources.

SOURCE: Asbestos Information Centre