Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk

Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk

                                      Key Points 
 

•  Asbestos is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally in the environment as bundles of fibers (see Question 1).
   

• Exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of asbestosis, other nonmalignant lung and pleural disorders, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers (see Question 3).
   

• Smokers who are also exposed to asbestos have a greatly increased risk of lung cancer (see Question 6).
   

• Individuals who have been exposed (or suspect they have been exposed) to asbestos on the job, through the environment, or at home through a family contact should inform their physician and report any symptoms (see Question 7).
   

• Government agencies can provide additional information on asbestos exposure (see Questions 8, 9, and 11).
   

 

The Harmful Effects of Asbestos on Your Lungs

More recently, asbestos and not smoking, is found in some parts of the world, especially in the North American continent, to be the main culprit for lung cancer. Financial interests are high and the games of guilt are also part of more or less directed scenarios. The European Union has banned asbestos in marketing and, theoretically, the same thing happens in all member countries.

Asbestosis is a high risk for construction workers, plumbers, welders, caregivers, metallurgical, automotive mechanics, pipe fitters, locksmiths.

Currently, asbestos is still used to produce sprays used in thermal or acoustic insulation of buildings, some textiles (ropes, tapes, elastic strings), in tubes coated plates for floor or roof. Asbestosis-induced diseases are neither few nor with a less unfavorable prognosis. Most often asbestos is the cause of cancer, such as mesothelioma, but also pleural effusion or development of nodules. Mesotheliomas generally occur 20-40 years after the initial exposure to asbestos. As this is a severe disease, nowadays the use of asbestos has been minimized. However, the long, asymptomatic evolution of the disease keeps asbestosis on top of the most severe health problems.

Currently, diagnosis of asbestosis is determined in the presence of at least three factors: a history of asbestos exposure, presence of radiographic changes (suggesting pulmonary fibrosis), objective changes targets visible at the physical examination, presence of pulmonary rales and the absence of other causes of pulmonary fibrosis.

It is clear that the exposure to asbestos is a major human health problem, a problem that needs to be put on the agenda of each country and each executive, an issue that should occupy a priority in activities of disease prevention. Asbestos must continue to be a main concern for both the employer and the country and there must be actions of prevention of disease risks in workers.

European Conference on the dangers of asbestos, which was held in 2003 in Dresden and attended by representatives from different European countries and senior officials of the European Commission, has pointed out that EU law prohibits marketing and use of substances or products containing asbestos since 1990. However, not all European Union and North American countries take seriously the terrible danger that asbestos poses to human health.
The United Kingdom, In The Center Of The Scandal

Britain is considered the EU country with the highest number of deaths caused by inhaling asbestos. British doctors estimate that over 3,500 Britons die each year as a result of cancer caused by asbestos and specify that the number of such disorders is increasing; asbestos material was still excessively used in the ’80s by contractors in construction, particularly in London suburbs. Because of the increased mortality rate, the British authorities have banned the importation and use of most asbestos-based products. Moreover, mayors of large urban areas in Britain were forced to draw up a register of buildings in whose construction asbestos was used, increasing funds being allocated for the decontamination of the buildings.
Canada Continues The Profit Strategy

Despite the international prohibitions, the Canadian authorities refused to close asbestos mines, which still operate in the province of Quebec. Quebec is actually the second producer of asbestos in the world after Russia, and the mining activity is in state custody, benefiting from large budget funds. Canada exports asbestos to poor countries like in the Third World and to China. Canadian authorities challenged in 1999 the World Trade Organization French decision to ban imports of Canadian asbestos, but lost the case, contrary to their expectations, given that until then, the WTO officials encouraged import operations in similar processes.
 
 

Students' Demonstration before the DM of  Arwal Distt. against false cases on students leaders and fee hike in Shaheed Jagdev Smarak College at Kurtha, Arwal.

Violence in Chainpur-Vishunpur

Violence in Chainpur-Vishunpur
 It seems that Bihar too is soon going to face the similar conditions which occurred in West Bengal’s Singhur. People of Singhur asked that development will happen at the cost of what? Will it be at the cost of the life of a human or at the cost of environment or at the cost of their fertile agricultural land? The same mindset can be seen among the villagers of Muzaffar Pur’s Madvan block’s Chainpur-Vishunpur village. Tata was supposed to manufacture Nano car in Singhur and here in Chainpur-
Vishunpur 
Balmukund company wants to manufacture asbestos.

The violence in Singhur was witnessed by the entire world. The Tata’s had to move from Singhur to Sanand. People of Chainpur-Vishunpur too have become quite furious they don’t want the asbestos factory to be established in their village hence they finding out ways to get rid of this problem. As we have heard that a spark neglected burns the house similarly, if the situation in Chainpur-Vishunpur is not controlled well on time then this village may soon turn as violent as Singhur was.

In the year 2009, in Chainpur-Vishunpur, the owner of the Balmukund Company purchased 50 acres of land on the name of establishing agricultural plant. At that point of time the villagers were absolutely clueless that he is actually planning to establish an asbestos factory. The truth came in front of all only when the villagers saw the construction work for the asbestos factory going on. This was not at all welcomed by the villagers hence they decided to give an application to the DM to stop the construction work immediately while stating the negative impacts of the asbestos factory.

Gradually, this news got spread in the entire village and the whole village got united and came out on roads as a mark of protest. On 18th August, 2010 a meeting of the villagers was organized in Chainpur-Vishunpur Secondary School under the leadership of Ramchand Rai, where he constructed a Struggle Committee against Balkmukund’s Company for saving the villagers from it. Ramchand Rai became the convener and Tarkeshwar Giri and Vinod Singh became the co-convener and this way this committee consisting of 51 members was formed and in this very meeting only the agenda of opposing Balmukun’s factory was decided.

On 6th December, when the villagers found out that they are going to get no help from the government, then the Struggle Committee decided to lock the factory on their own. On 8th December under the banner of the Struggle Committee thousands of people from 6 Panchayats locked the gate of the asbestos company and sat on demonstration. This demonstration included farmers, woman and children. The people sitting for demonstration were shouting slogans against Balmukund to leave this place. They were shouting that they will not allow construction of this factory on their fertile lands. On 10th September the villagers gathered near the gate of the factory. After getting the news that the GM of this company Om Prakash Aggarwal is going to visit the factory; the villagers decided to frighten him so that he will stop the construction work immediately. Their motive was to frighten him by beating or using any other means so that he drops the plan of constructing this factory and abandons the place.

On 14th September, DM ordered the BDO, CO and the police to let the factory gate open. But the villagers did not allow them to open the gate and made them run from the site. On 19th September it was ordered by the SDO, West, Kundan Kumar and his committee that by the time we call both the sides and the environmentalists, we shall keep the factory locked. But this order was overlooked again and again which made the villagers even more furious. On 13th December when the villagers were demonstrating on the gate, in order to stop them, firing was done which injured half a dozen of people. This enraged the villagers furthermore and they started beating the workers working in the factory. They broke the factory gate and badly beaten up the factory manager BK Tiwari, deputy manager Sanjeev Mishra guard Naveen Kumar Singh and Lallan Singh. On the other side the injured villagers Harendra Mahto, Santosh Ram, Mantosh, Dharmendra Paswan, Golu Kumar, Haroshankar Singh and Kumod Ram were admitted to hospital. On 14th September the secretaries of the struggling factory Tarkeshwar Giri and Kumod Ram were sent to jail. This made the situation even more violent. The villagers could not tolerate their leaders going in jail.

Ramgopal Krishna, All India coordinator of asbestos Mukti Andolan, is tensed over the entire matter and said that asbestos is very harmful for health. Even the minutest particle of asbestos entering in the body can lead to various deadly diseases like cancer etc. According to Sachidanand Singh from Dr Rammanohar Lohia hospital, asbestos is banned in all the countries. Despite this the health of the poor Indians is being overlooked and by showing the poor the dream of development these factories are being opened. The leader of Ganga Mukti Andolan, Anil Prakash said that it is banned in Europe.

However, the construction of this factory is going on which is giving rise to more tensed environment. The dismal thing is that the government is not taking any suitable action over this matter. It may happen that the carelessness of the government may give birth to similar conditions which occurred in Singhur.

Asbestos unit disturbs Chainpur’s peace

Work started without environmental clearance

AN 18 hectare plot straddling lychees orchards and farms in Chainpur village of Muzaffarpur district is in the midst of a dispute.

A company, Balmukund Cement and Roofing Ltd, is constructing an asbestos fibre and cement roofing plant on the land. Villagers nearby are opposing it saying the company bought land from them on the pretext of building a farmhouse but started constructing the factory. They termed the construction illegal as the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has not given environmental clearance to the project and the mandatory public hearing is yet to be held.

The start of work is a violation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification of 2006, said Umesh Prasad Singh, a lawyer in Muzaffarpur. The notification says a project proponent cannot start construction or development without environmental clearance.

Public hearing venue shifted

Work started at the site in January whereas the MoEF has issued only the terms of reference (ToR) for the project’s EIA, in February 2010. Nonetheless, the Bihar state pollution control board (BSPCB) gave its nod to the project through a consent to establish. Manoj Kumar Singh, member secretary of BSPCB, said it is the ministry that has to take a stand on the illegal construction. The villagers’ anger was aggravated when they saw a newspaper notice issued by BSPCB. It said the public hearing for the project would be held on May 29 at a temple 27 km from the site.

Villagers say the district 
magistrateAnand Kishore 
has done his job; it is 
now MoEF’s turn to stop 
the illegal construction

“The EIA notification says the public hearing shall be at the project site or in close proximity,” said Arvind Kumar Singh, the up-pramukh of Marwan block where the site is located. Villagers said BSPCB chose the temple venue deliberately to keep away most people who are Muslims. Residents of Chainpur, Parari and Aima Bishunpur then met the district magistrate, Anand Kishore, and convinced him to change the date and venue of the hearing.

On Kishore’s directions, the BSPCB rescheduled the hearing for June 28. The new venue is within Marwan, six km from the site.

The residents are worried the asbestos used in the plant may cause respiratory illnesses and cancer. There are six villages within one kilometre radius of the factory. But the draft EIA report omits this information (see box below).

“There are six government schools and two private schools in a radius of 200 metres to 1,000 metres from the site. The EIA failed to address the site sensitivity. The plant will affect the health of children,” said Vasi Ahmed, headmaster of a primary school in Gian village.

A senior MoEF official said the state board has been asked to furnish a report on irregularities in the project. Villagers said they would not have sold their fertile land if they had known it was for an asbestos-cement roofing plant. Construction work at the site, meanwhile, is in full swing (see http://www.downtoearth.org.in/webexclusives/asbestos_cementroofing.htm).
Tags: News, Agriculture, Asbestos, Bihar, Cement Industry, Conflicts, Environment, Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), Farmers, Land Acquisition, Muzaffarpur (D), State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)

Massive Protest Against Killer Asbestos Plant in Bihar

Mr. Sumit Sen

Resident Editor

The Times of India

Patna (Kolkata Market)

Subject-Massive Protest Against Killer Asbestos Plant in Bihar

Sir,

Apropos “Asbestos firm cries foul over

'protests<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Asbestos-firm-cries-foul-over-protests/articleshow/7220092.cms>'”

(The Times of India, Patna, Jan 5, 2011), World Health Organisation (WHO)

says, "currently about 125 million people in the world are exposed to

asbestos at the workplace. As per its estimates, more than 107,000 people

die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis

resulting from occupational exposures. One in every three deaths from

occupational cancer is estimated to be caused by asbestos. In addition, it

is estimated that several thousands of deaths can be attributed annually to

exposure to asbestos in the living environment."

Unpardonable callousness on the part of Bihar government in the matter of

proposed asbestos plant is facing bitter resistance by the villagers. The

agitation has huge potential to become Bihar's Singur if the plant is not

stopped. There has been firing on non-violent protesters on 13th December

and on 9th December when a team of doctors visited the village at the behest

of a Patna based Nagrik Forum to hear the health concerns of the villagers,

the villagers were lathicharged. In protest, the villagers are sitting on

Dharna.

What is poisonous in 52 countries cannot become non-poisonous in India.

Human biology is the same everywhere.

Canada which is one of the bigger suppliers of asbestos has decontaminated

its parliament and has adopted a no home use policy. Why should villagers

Chainpur-Bishunpur in Muzaffarpur, Bihar be exposed to killer fibers of

asbestos. On 30th December, Turkey has joined the group of countries that

have banned trade and use of asbestos of all kinds.

Kerala Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has ruled that exposing Indians to

asbestos is a human rights violation. This paves the way for the eventual

complete ban on asbestos and its products. On January 31, 2009, the KHRC

ruled that the government should take steps to phase out asbestos roofing

from all schools in the state.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has passed an order recommending

that the asbestos sheets roofing be replaced with roofing made up of some

other material. The Annual Report of NHRC 2003-2004 refers to a Report

entitled “Asbestos – Health and Environment – an in-depth Study” submitted

by the Institute of Public Health Engineers, India. NHRC is currently

examining an application to make our country asbestos free at the earliest.

Even if one asbestos fibre reaches the right place, it causes irreversible

damage - leading to asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma. On August 18,

2003, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, the then Union Minister of Health and Family

Welfare informed the Parliament "…long-term exposure to any type of asbestos

can lead to development of asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma."

Asbestos is not deemed safe even by Government of India that's why is

asbestos mining is banned in India. Some 52 countries has banned asbestos.

In 2006 alone there were more than 1,000 mesothelioma deaths (asbestos

related fatal disease) in Japan. In US 10, 000 people are dying of asbestos

disease.

Balmukund asbestos company got clearance by misleading Central Pollution

Control Board saying the site of the plant is a 'barren' land in its

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report although its a fertile land. It

has been pointed out since May 2010 that this company has violated all the

relevant provisions of the EIA Notification, 2006. The Union Environment

Ministry has been apprised of the situation and it is learnt that they are

in the process of initiating action against the company.

When Mr S S Ahluwalia, former member, Parliamentary Standing Committee on

Science, Technology, Environment & Forests was briefed on 7th January, he

was surprised to note that India as a country still uses asbestos despite

knowing that almost all the developed countries have banned it. He promised

to raise the issue of the proposed asbestos plant in Bihar at his

party's *national executive meeting* underway in Guwahati.

 A letter to this effect has been sent to Dr C P Thakur, former, Union
Health Minister and Member, Parliamentary Standing Committee on
Chemicals and Fertilizers as well. Almost all the MPs from Bihar has been
apprised of the imminent public health crisis due to asbestos plants proposed
in Bhojpur, Vaishali and Muzaffarpur.

Such hazardous plants should not be allowed even on non-agricultural lands

and plans must be urgently made to decontaminate existing asbestos laden

buildings in Bihar and elsewhere.

    With Best Regards

    Dr. Ishwari Prasad

    (Rtd. Professor<Economics)

    Jawaharlal Nehru University

     New Delhi

    

Police uses violent method to quell peaceful protest; Nitish Mum

http://newzfirst.com/web/guest/full-story/-/asset_publisher/Qd8l/content/police-uses-violent-method-to-quell-peaceful-protest-nitish-mum?redirect=/web/guest/home?invitekey=2b237b01faf5ee644c6c6aa43931e255

Citizens March in Patna against police firing on farmers at Marwan on 24th January, 2011

Citizens March is in progress

Dr Ramji Singh, Ex VC, leading the Citizen's March

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marwan asbestos saga takes ugly turn

Shoumojit Banerjee


Patna: The battle over the proposed asbestos factory in the village of Bishnupur-Chainpur in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district took yet another sordid turn on Saturday as the district police resorted to lathi-charge and firing to disperse the demonstrators, injuring at least a dozen villagers, four of them women.

The village, which falls under Muzaffarpur's Marwan lock, has been on the boil since July with villagers and activists consistently opposing the construction of Kolkata-based Balmukund Cement and Roofing Ltd (BCRL)'s 31 crore factory, alleging flagrant violation of procedural norms and non-disclosure of health hazards on part of the company management.

The incident took place in the afternoon when a large group of villagers sat on a ‘dharna' to protest against the construction of the company.

“It was then that the district police beat up some of the villagers, while lobbing tear gas shells to disperse them. When a large crowd of residents gathered to protest [against] this, the police resorted to firing,” said Ram Naresh Prasad Singh, convener of the Khet Bachao Jeevan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, a local forum set up to combat the asbestos threat on the district.

The injured villagers have been admitted to a local district hospital.

The Muzaffarpur District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police have not reacted to the incident, despite efforts to contact them.

“The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) had warned the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) on Monday that there was a strong possibility of a bloodbath in Bishnupur-Chainpur if present conditions are allowed to persist,” said Mr. Gopal Krishna, Convener of the Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI).

Despite assurances by Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh to look into the matter, this is the second such incident in a month after villagers alleged firing by company-hired minions to disrupt proceedings in December.

The MoEF had given environmental clearance to BCRL in October 2010.

Angry protests

Apart from Chainpur, there have been angry protests by villagers and activists against the two asbestos plants to be set up in Bhojpur district as well.

The first such plant is to be set up by Chennai-based Ramco Industries Ltd. in Bhojpur's Bihiya block. The proposal is to establish a 120,000 MT/annum capacity of Asbestos Cement Sheet Plant and a 2 lakh MT/annum capacity of Asbestos Grinding Plant at Industrial Area.

The second one, a 1 Lakh MT Capacity Asbestos Fiber Cement Corrugated Sheet, is to be set up by the Chennai-based Nibhi Industries Pvt. Ltd at Giddha in Ara.

http://www.bihardays.com/

Asbestos: The ‘Killer Dust’ hovering over the Bihar sky

By Prof Ashok Ghosh

Prof Ashok Kumar Ghosh

I was in Germany on24th November, 2010 when the landslide victory for Nitish Kumar was announced in Bihar assembly elections. One of my journalist friends called me and asked my opinion about the priorities and challenges before the new Government. My first reaction was – “Congratulations to all fellow Bihari’s for their mature verdict and to Mr.Nitish Kumar for his victory. Now the time has come for industrialization of Bihar for its economic growth.”

I never imagined at that time that the first big news related to industrialization after the installation of NDA II government will be the proposed asbestos cement roofing sheet factory asbestos factory (BCRL) in the vicinity of flourishing habitation Marwan (Muzafferpur) inBihar. Deadly asbestos is known

Asbestos and Hazards…

for its sinister effects, giving it the names ‘the killer dust’ and ‘the silent time-bomb’. The proposed capacity of the asbestos factory is 3,00,000 tonnes per annum (TPA)- more than sufficient for repeating a ‘Turner &Newall’ asbestos epidemic of UK. The health of a population of about 30,000 of Bishnupur-Chainpur village is threatened. It is also reported that there are around 15-20 schools within 1,000 metres from the site of construction. The likely effect of this asbestos factory on the health of the children studying in these schools has never been evaluated.

Asbestos has been classified as a known human carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the EPA, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that asbestos result in lung cancer, mesothelioma, cancer of the larynx and ovary, and asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs).

Asbestos related lung disease has Long latency period, there is distinct Dose-response relationship, there is possibility of persistence of the risk after cessation of exposure, and there is no treatment or treatment is poorly effective. Besides the individual suffering the diseases cause to the patients with virtually no possibility of cure especially for mesothelioma and lung cancer, asbestos has caused and continues to cause enormous economic damage. Some numbers from my German contacts: In 2003 more than 1,000 cases of death from asbestos (1,068) were recorded, after 899 in 1995 and 957 in 2000. And the peak to this development has not been reached. Due to the long latency period between exposure and the outbreak of the diseases it lies still in the future.

We all are aware that there is no environmental and occupational health centres in Bihar. It has been scientifically confirmed that the lung cancer risk increases in population exposed to asbestos and risk multiplies in smokers. Unfortunately the rural population of Muzafferpur have very high number of Bidi smokers, which will be disastrous in combination with asbestos.

 Lung Cancer risks from Asbestos

(Source: Dept. of Labour and Industries- USA)

It is strange that the Ministry of Environment and Forests awarded thisfactory environmental clearance, and even Government of Bihar provided green signal for its implementation.

Despite a series of protests and demonstrations by locals and media outcry, to the best of my knowledge the project has not been abandoned yet. It is the responsibility of, doctors, trades unionists, scientists, and media to pinpoint and highlight the failures in screening process which led to permission for opening of this “time bomb” in Bihar. I appeal to the Ministry of Environment and Forest , Government of India and the Government of Bihar to re-evaluate the proposed asbestos factory and get fresh EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment ) done by qualified agency before it is given green signal , so that the health of the poor population living in its vicinity is not jeopardized.

Archives

Prof.  Ashok Kumar Ghosh is Professor-in-Charge in the department of Environment and Water Management, A.N.College [Magadh University], Patna, India.He writes a column on environment and water resources in Bihar, exclusively for BiharDays every Mondays.

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44 acres agro land acquired for Asbestos Factory; Resistance Continues

Add caption

The grand development process is triggered in Bihar with all media stunt and the doors are opened for investors. The logical consequences of development projects are surfacing too. As Kolkata based Balmukund Cement and Roofing Ltd (BCRL) is allowed to set up killing dust Asbestos factory at Chainpur-Vishunpur village under Madawan Block, Muzaffarpur as a part of development project in Bihar is resulting into serious resistance by the villagers. The agricultural land is acquired on large scale for this project. These lands are acquired illegally through legal means charged Arun Singh, a social activist.
It was the clear case of collusion of Corporate and State and an apparent violation of Environment Protection Act, 1986 through which no forced displacement can be done. According to National Rehabilitation Policy, 2009, agricultural land cannot be used for industrial project. According to Environment Protection Act under notification of year 1994, before setting up any factory, its mandatory for every Factory owner to undertake study regarding Environmental Impact Assessment of the region as well as public hearing.
There has been a movement from last end of the June month in Muzaffarpur against this factory. Earlier, it was just sleepy hamlet of 25,000 populations. The process of setting up the Asbestos factory has been started since September, 2009. The villagers said they acquired our 44 acre lands (but company mentioned 17.4 acre of lands in its EIA report) in the name of Agro-based Industry.
They cleverly didnt put even a hoarding to indicate the proposed site for. The company had virtually made no effort to disseminate the information regarding its harmful impact. As they have undertaken Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) along with constructions of their proposed site since March.
There were number of skirmishes occurred between administration and villagers from May, said Rajkumar Choudhary, AIDSO activist. He further added The Police dealt with to control the protestors whereas, allegedly, dealt with hand gloves with factory staffs.
In November, SDO of the Block announced stay over the construction on the factory site in front of thousands of protestors. But, the factory constructions were not stopped. It shows how administration have been backing the Company said Arun Kumar. Then villagers decided for indefinite strike at the gate of under constructed factory, he added.
On December 13, hundreds of the protestor sat on indefinite strike at the gate of proposed under-construction site. The factory manager hired 50-60 hooligans fired on the peaceful demonstrators. The fierce skirmished scene occurred at the site. The six-protestors injured. In which Harendra Mahto and Mantosh Kumar were seriously injured by the bullet. Later, they admitted at Muzaffarpur Sadar Hospital, and rest were hospitalized in a private clinic. The police were unseen while the protest was in swing
Ironically, FIR was registered against the protestors and they were charged with looting and ransoming. After furious protest, FIR was also registered against Sri Mishra & Sri Tiwary, owner representatives of the site, but no arrest is made yet.
The movement was led by the SUCIs (Socialist Unity Centre of India) student wing AIDSO(All India Democratic Students Organisation), Khet Bachao Jeevan Bachao Jansangharsh Committee and Citizen Forum. They all were made accused in this case.
One side country is reeling under food insecurity and other side this government is allowing dangerous Asbestos factories to set up on 50 acres agricultural land. They acquired the land in the name of Agro-based industries, said Ram Chander Ray, Convenor of Khet Bachao Jeevan Bachao Sangharsh Committee.
The BCRL plant is based on Chrysotile — the chemical name for white asbestos, which accounts for more than 95 per cent of the present world trade in asbestos.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines white asbestos as a rare fibrous material that is used to make rooftops and brake linings while explicitly stating that all types of asbestos result in lung cancer, mesothelioma, cancer of the larynx and ovary, and asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs).
The Environmental Health Criterion (EHC) no. 203 as laid down by the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS, established 1980) for Chrysotile asbestos clearly states: Exposure to Chrysotile asbestos poses increased risks for asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma in a dose-dependent manner. No threshold has been identified for carcinogenic risks.
As per the companys Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report, 29,000 TPA of raw asbestos fibre will be imported from Canada, Brazil and Zimbabwe.
More disturbingly, the EIA report, the company has stated that the land acquired by the company is completely barren and the project site situated at a considerable distance of 15 km from the nearest town. Whereas, the factory site which falls between the adjoining areas of Bishnupur-Chainpur is surrounded by wheat fields, vegetation and human habitation. There are 15 schools within the ambit of just a kilometer from the proposed site besides dozen of Aganwadi center. The Block office is at 7 km distance.

Harmful Asbestos:

A study undertaken by a volunteer organization in Gujrat on the workers of an asbestos company Gujarat Composite Limited reveals horrendous facts. 75 out of a thousand workers exposed to asbestos for ten years were diagnosed with lung cancer. At least 20 affected are dead. On the contrary Government version reveals that there is almost non-existent record of death or any harmful affect from Asbestos. In 2005, Ministry of Environment said that no complain has been received regarding death or damages by Carcinogenic contents.
Eminent socialist thinker, Schchidanand Sinha appealed Chief Minister not to allow harmful asbestos company to set up near population. Medha Patekar wrote an open letter to CM in this regard. Ban Asbestos Network of India(BANI) convener, Gopal Krishna, a man behind the successful advocacy for the return back of the Cleameanceu ship, who was moving towards the Alang port, a largest ship breaking port of the world in Gujarat, also sent a letter addressing Mr Nithish Kumar.
On Wednesday, noted Environmental Consultant and asbestos hazard expert Dr. Barry Castleman addressed letters to Mr. Kumar and Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh drawing their attention to the community resistance in Muzaffarpur over the proposed plant and the repressive measures initiated by the district authorities.
Dr. Dhruv Mukhopadhaya, former Professor Dhanbad Science Centre, said here that Our government do not discourages the Asbestos Factory while 52 countries had banned this and a notification has been pending in Rajya Sabha regarding ban of this killer dust
Gopal Krishna, answered a query how a poor man make its roof if it is completely banned. He says Dont think it is cheap but it has been made cheaper year by year. Most of the asbestos factories owners are our Parliamentarians. The custom duty was 78 % on the import of Asbestos in 1995, now it is reduced to 15%. Earlier this industry was growing by 10-12% but in 2004, its growth rate reached to 83%. There is trick behind its cheapness
The SUCIs student wing AIDSO, Khet Bachao Jeevan Bachao Jansangharsh Committee and Citizen Forum had submitted memorandum on Thursday of immediate release of the protestors and withdrawal of the charges slapped against them. NAPM leader Medha Patekar also demanded unconditional release of the villagers who were falsely charged in this case.