Friday 17 May 2013

Chrysotile asbestos, CPCB’s Inventory of hazardous chemicals & Rotterdam Convention


                                                                                                                         ToxicsWatch Alliance


To

Shri Ajay Tyagi , IAS            
Chairman        
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Union Ministry of Environment & Forests
‘Parivesh Bhavan’, East Arjun Nagar,
Delhi - 110 032
Date: May 17, 2013


Subject: Chrysotile asbestos, CPCB’s Inventory of hazardous chemicals & Rotterdam Convention 

 

Sir,

This is to draw your attention towards the volte face in matter of hazardous white chrysotile asbestos by the Indian delegation at the sixth meeting on UN's Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade which concluded on May 10, 2013.

I submit that Indian delegation’s position is manifestly inconsistent with the INVENTORY OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS IMPORT IN INDIA prepared by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), under Union Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India prepared in September, 2008 with a foreword September 24, 2008 by Shri J. M. Mauskar, the then Chairman, CPCB and Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Environment & Forests lists ‘asbestos’ at serial no. 26 as one of the 180 hazardous chemicals in international trade which is imported in India.  This was done pursue of Government of India’s “Manufacture, Storage, and Import of Hazardous Chemicals (MSIHC) Rules, 1989” under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. According to these Rules, any person responsible for importing hazardous chemicals in India is to provide the data of import to the concerned authorities, as identified in Column 2 of Schedule 5 to the Rules. The CPCB “has been identified as one of such Authorities. In order to study the inventory of Hazardous Chemicals being imported by various categories of industrial units in India, the data provided by these industrial units to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have been compiled.” It is scandalous as to why did the Indian delegation took a position inconsistent with the Manufacture, Storage, and Import of Hazardous Chemicals (MSIHC) Rules, 1989. The CPCB’s inventory is attached.

I submit that Shri P.M. Ansari, Additional Director, Shri G. Thirumurthy, Assistant Environmental Engineer, Shri. Paritosh Kumar, Senior Environmental Engineer and Ms. Gayithri H.V, Junior Research Fellow were involved in the finalization of the Inventory under the overall supervision of Dr. B. Sengupta, Ex. Member Secretary, CPCB. 

I submit that Indian laws include asbestos in the list of hazardous substances but the Indian delegation took a diametrically opposite position revealing undue influence.

I submit that Indian delegation’s position with regard to asbestos is contrary to Indian laws in practice. Asbestos is listed as a hazardous substance under Part II of Schedule-I of the Manufacture, Storage and import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 provides the List of Hazardous and Toxic Chemicals. This list has 429 chemicals, asbestos is at the serial no. 28 in the list. This Rule and the list is available on the website of Union Ministry of Environment & Forests. Its url is: http://envfor.nic.in/legis/hsm/hsm2.html http://envfor.nic.in/legis/hsm/hsm2sch1.html

I submit that under Factories Act, 1948, the List of 29 industries involving hazardous processes is given under Section 2 (cb), Schedule First, asbestos is mentioned at serial no. 24.  The Act defines "hazardous process" as “any process or activity in relation to an industry specified in the First Schedule where, unless special care is taken, raw materials used therein or the intermediate or finished products, bye-products, wastes or effluents thereof would--(i) cause material impairment to the health of the persons engaged in or connected therewith, or (ii) result in the pollution of the general environment”.  This leaves no doubt that asbestos is a hazardous substance. The Act is available at:

I submit that earlier, on June 22, 2011 Indian delegation led by Ms. Mira Mehrishi, the then Additional Secretary and Chairperson, CPCB had supported the listing of Chrysotile asbestos as a hazardous chemical substance at the fifth meeting on Rotterdam Convention amidst standing ovation.

I submit that this UN meet on hazardous chemicals creates a rationale for insulating government officials from undue and motivated industry influence to ensure that they are not made to act like parrots. In matters like exposure from carcinogenic fibers of asbestos CPCB officials must factor in far reaching implications for public health before defending the indefensible hazardous asbestos industry. The day is not far when officials of CPCB too will be held liable for their acts of omission and commission as is happening in more than 50 countries that have banned all kinds of asbestos.  

I submit that the Terms of Reference (TOR) that is awarded by the Experts Appraisal Committee (EAC), Industrial Project, Union Ministry of Environment & Forests for Chrysotile asbestos based roofing factory asks the project proponent to prepare a “Health Management Plan for Mesothelmia, Lung cancer and Asbestosis related problems in asbestos industries” revealing its hazardous nature.

I submit that since Union Environment Ministry’s Vision Statement is available on ministry’s 
website says, “Alternatives to asbestos may be used to the extent possible and use of asbestos may be phased out”, CPCB should recommend moratorium on grant of TOR for setting up asbestos based factories.

I submit that given the fact that the delegation represents the voice of Government of India, how does the Indian delegation respond to 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 available on Ministry’s website. 

I submit that a letter of Shri B N Mehta, the then Chief Inspector of Factories, Gujarat State dated December 24, 2002 in the matter of execution of the order of Supreme Court in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 206 of 1986 categorically reveals that two workers of Gujarat Composites Ltd were confirmed for Asbestosis, an incurable lung disease by NIOH. The workers were (1) Shri Hazarilal Manraj and (2) Shri Sahejram B Yadav. The letter recommended compensation of Rs 1 lakh as per the Court order but till date the same has not been given. This and many such cases conclusively establish the hazards from asbestos. Influence of the asbestos industry becomes quite obvious when Government turns a blind eye to such glaring official facts.  This is also a clear case of contempt of court by the asbestos based company. 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. This is what the industry did in more than 50 countries but failed to avoid the inevitability of ban on all kinds of asbestos including white asbestos. The attached letter demonstrates that asbestos is a hazardous substance which causes asbestos related incurable diseases.     

I submit that since the Indian delegation comprised of officials like Mr. Vinod Babu Bommathula, Scientist-D & In-Charge, CPCB, Ministry of Environment, they should have informed you about the CPCB’s inventory of hazardous chemicals that includes asbestos.   

I am aware that other members of the delegation were Shri Ajay Tyagi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Ms. Chhanda Chowdhury, Director, Hazardous Substances Management Division, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Mr. Ram Niwas Jindal, Additional Director, Hazardous Substances Management Division, Ministry of Environment and Forests besides asbestos industry lobbyists like Mr. Abhaya Shankar, Chairman, Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers’ Association and Vivek Chandra Rao Sripalle, Director, Safety Health and Environment, Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers’ Association. The industry’s influence on the delegation appears quite manifest.

It may be noted that he Competition Commission of India (CCI) is probing alleged cartelisation in the market for asbestos cement sheets, which is mainly used in rural areas for low cost houses and warehouses. The fair trade regulator has said that various factors including high concentration in the market, product homogeneity and “active association of manufacturers” led to the decision of investigating anti-competitive practices in that industry. Competition Commission of India’s investigation arm — Director General (DG) — is looking into the matter.

“The role of the Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (ACPMA) is under scanner for facilitating the cartel and controlling production volumes and sale prices. “The Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of alleged anti-competitive conduct of ACPMA,” CCI said in its latest quarterly newsletter. It noted that asbestos cement sheets are widely used for roofs in low cost houses, sheds and warehouses. “The market of asbestos cement sheets consists of 20 big firms and 68 manufacturing units, of which top six players hold 87 per cent of the market share,” CCI added. It said the probe was triggered after a reference from the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). CCI keeps a tab on anti competitive practices across sectors. This has been reported in business newspapers.  

I submit that on its website ACPMA reveals, “The Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (ACPMA) is a non-profit organization and is registered with the Registrar of Societies under Indian Societies Act 1860. The Association was formed in 1985 with an objective to aid, stimulate and advise promotion of Chrysotile Asbestos Cement Products (Sheets and Pipes) in India. ACPMA is affiliated to International Chrysotile Association, (ICA), USA. ICA is an international body formed by various country Associations and has a membership of 23 countries prominent being Canada, Brazil, China, Russia, Mexico amongst others. ICA actively represents the interest of Chrysotile Industry world over…”
The website admits, “ACPMA regularly receives from ICA latest information on various technical, scientific and health related issues connected with the safe use of Chrysotile. All such information is disseminated amongst Members and others connected with the Industry including Govt. regulatory bodies.” The website refers to its membership stating, “ACPMA currently has 15 Members having 51 manufacturing units located in various States providing direct and indirect employment to approximately 300,000 (Three Lakh) persons and having a gross annual turnover of approx Rs.4500/- crores.” It refers to a URL saying, “To view the list of members alongwith their office address”. The URL shows 18 members instead of 15. These are A INFRASTRUCTURE LTD, ASSAM ROOFING LTD, EVEREST INDUSTRIES LTD, HYDERABAD IND. LTD, JAIPRAKASH ASSOCIATES LTD, SAHYADRI INDUSTRIES LTD, RAMCO INDUSTRIES LTD, TAMILNADU CEMENTS CORPN. LTD, U P ASBESTOS LTD, UAL INDUSTRIES LTD, ‘KONARK MANI UDAY’, VISAKA INDUSTRIES LTD, STURDY INDUSTRIES LTD, VILSON ROOFING PRODUCTS PVT.LTD, NORTH EAST ROOFING LTD, ARL INFRATECH LTD, SRI VENKATESWARA PIPES LTD, ROOFIT INDUSTRIES LTD and MRK PIPES LTD.

I submit that the question which merits attention is how is it that these profit making companies when they become members of the Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (ACPMA) turn into “a non-profit organization and is registered with the Registrar of Societies under Indian Societies Act 1860”. Essentially, its claim of being a non-profit NGO is factually incorrect. This appears to be an act of fraudulent representation.

I submit that instead of letting ACPMA undertake the exercise of defending the profit making enterprises of these hazardous asbestos based companies, concerned ministries must consider asking each of these companies to file submissions about the environmental and occupational health status of the workers in their factories and the health records of the workers who have retired in compliance with the Hon’ble Supreme Court order of 1995.

I wish to draw your attention towards this judgment. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in its judgment dated January 21, 2011at paragraph 14 said: 
                       “....In the earlier judgment of this Court in the case of Consumer Education and Research Centre (supra), hazards arising out of primary use of asbestos were primarily dealt with, but certainly secondary exposure also needs to be examined by the Court. In that judgment, the Court had noticed that it would, thus, be clear that diseases occurred wherever the exposure to the toxic or carcinogenic agent occurs, regardless of the country, type of industry, job title, job assignment or location of exposure. The diseases will follow the trail of the exposure and extend the chain of the carcinogenic risk beyond the work place. In that judgment, the Court had also directed that a review by the Union and the States shall be made after every ten years and also as and when the ILO gives directions in this behalf consistent with its recommendations or conventions. Admittedly, 15 years has expired since the issuance of the directions by this Court. The ILO also made certain specific directions vide its resolution of 2006 adopted in the 95th session of the International Labour Conference. It introduced a ban on all mining, manufacture, recycling and use of all forms of asbestos. As already noticed, serious doubts have been raised as to whether `controlled use' can be effectively implemented even with regard to secondary exposure. These are circumstances which fully require the concerned quarters/authorities in the Government of India as well as the State Governments to examine/review the matter in accordance with law, objectively, to achieve the greater health care of the poor strata of the country who are directly or indirectly engaged in mining or manufacturing activities of asbestos and/or allied products.”

I submit that the Supreme Court in its judgment dated January 21, 2011 in Writ Petition (Civil) No.260 of 2004 referred to its directions of January 27, 1995 in the Writ Petition (Civil) No. 206 of 1986 that are required to be strictly adhered to including fresh International Labour Organisation (ILO) resolution on Asbestos dated June 14, 2006 that seeks elimination of all kinds of asbestos. The Supreme Court order of 1995 is attached.

I submit that in compliance of the judgment, an Advisory Committee of Union Ministry of Labour has been set up to implement Hon’ble Supreme Court order issued more than 18 years ago on January 27, 1995 and repeated on January 23, 2012. But although over 1 year has passed but the Advisory Committee headed by Shri A C Pandey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour is yet to submit its report to incorporate specific directions of the Court with regard to fresh ILO’s Resolution of June 14, 2006 introducing a ban on all mining, manufacture, recycling and use of all forms of asbestos. The ILO Resolution is attached.

I submit that early industry-funded studies showed a causal relationship between asbestos exposure and cancer. Had this been made known to the public it could have prevented countless deaths but the asbestos industry made the conscious decision to protect their profits instead and choose to keep this information hidden from the public. India’s asbestos industry is following the same path.

I am attaching the text of the speech of Justice (retd) Rekha Kumari, President of the Mahavir Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Patna which was delivered at the Conference on Environmental and Occupational Health at A N Sinha Institute for Social Studies, Patna which underlines how Hon’ble Court’s order for incorporating ILO’s fresh resolution has not been complied with to protect public health.  

I submit that in March 2011, while on a visit to New Delhi, Dr Alec Farquhar, the then Managing Director, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Canada said, “We now have around 500 asbestos cancer cases every year in Ontario from a population of 13 million. If you (India) continue on your current path, you will multiply our death count by 100 times. That would be 50, 000 Indian workers dying every year from asbestos. In Ontario, we learned that safe use of asbestos is impossible. I urge you from the bottom of my hear, please do not make the same mistake as we made in Canada. Stop using asbestos and use a safe alternative.” It is clear that lack of documentation and lack of environmental and occupational health infrastructure does not mean lack of victims of asbestos related diseases.

I submit that in a related development, on April 2, 2013 in a precedent-setting decision, the Israel's High Court of Justice rejected a petition on against a law placing substantial financial responsibility on a company to clean up asbestos waste. The order observed, “In recent years, countries throughout the world have been required to deal with different dilemmas related to protecting the quality of the environmental.  A substantial portion of these dilemmas involve, among other things, legal, economic and ethical considerations. Amongst these dilemmas, the removal of hazardous waste – the matter at the heart of the present appeal – is a subject that demands significant attention.  Asbestos, in particular, has proved itself to be efficient and strong, suitable for many uses.  However, it has become clear with time that its ability to cause damage immeasurably outweighs its potential benefits.  Since the 20th century, different states have dealt with this matter of how to clean up the environment from asbestos, and onthe questions of who to impose the responsibility and who to require to pay for the implementation.  Consequently, I have found it appropriate to first turn our perspective on the relevant legal regimes in a few key countries beyond our borders.”  It ruled that "To conclude, the survey presented (of various international legal perspectives) indicates various and complimentary components.  In all instances it appears a consensus has been established, certainly so with regards to materials hazardous by their very nature such as asbestos, that substantial responsibility is to be imposed on the pollutant."

It is quite disturbing that at the UN conference India was made to join countries like Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Zimbabwe and Vietnam to oppose the listing of chrysotile asbestos as a hazardous chemical despite the fact that CPCB’s inventory and other Indian laws mention it as a hazardous chemical. This position of the Indian delegation was totally illegitimate and illegal taken to protect corporate profit of asbestos industry at any human cost.

I understand that given the fact that the decision with regard to India’s position at the UN meeting involves several ministries, I urge you to ensure that the error ridden position articulated with regard to white chrysotile asbestos at the UN meet in Geneva is revisited to set matters right.

Therefore, I submit that the recommendation to list chrysotile asbestos will be put forward again for the 5th time, at the Conference of the Parties in 2015, as a remedy for the mistake committed you may consider recommending inclusion of chrysotile asbestos for the PIC list in writing to the Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention.    

I will happy to share more information in this regard

Thanking You
Yours faithfully
Gopal Krishna
ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA)
New Delhi
Mb: 9818089660

Cc
Shri Shanta Kumar, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce
Shri Gopinath Pandurang Munde, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chemicals & Fertilizers
Shri Kalyan Banerjee, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal & Steel
Shri Brajesh Pathak, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare
Shri Dara Singh, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour
Dr. T. Subbarami Reddy, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Committee on Science & Technology, Environment & Forests
Shri Vilas Baburao Muttemwar, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution
Ms Mira Mehrishi, Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests
Shri Shashi Shekhar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests
Hon’ble Board Members of CPCB
Shri J. S. Kamyotra, Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board
Shri Vijay Panjwani, Lawyer, Central Pollution Control Board
Hon’ble Chairman, SPCBs and SPCCs
























           




Thursday 16 May 2013

India reverses stand on asbestos at Rotterdam Convention meet: Down To Earth

India reverses stand on asbestos at Rotterdam Convention meet

Opposes its inclusion in prior informed consent list; campaigners accuse industry lobby of influencing government

In a retrograde move, India opposed the listing of chrysotile asbestos under Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention at the sixth meeting of Conference of Parties (COP6) on May 8 in Geneva. Substances listed under Annex III of the Convention—a global treaty to promote shared responsibilities in relation to import of hazardous chemicals—require exporting countries to advise importing countries about the toxicity of the substances so that importers can give their prior informed consent (PIC) for trade. The Convention does not ban or limit trade in such hazardous substances.

Civil society members campaigning for a global ban on asbestos expressed shock at India retracting from its earlier decision, and allege that the Indian delegation was influenced by the industry lobby to take such a stand. 

Chrysotile asbestos, the most common form of asbestos used in India, is a fibrous substance, often mixed with cement to create a fire-retardant mixture which is applied to corrugated steel sheets and pipes. Called “the poor man’s material”, it is often used in roofing structures by the poor in India because of its high insulation and low-cost.

The Chemical Review Committee, a subsidiary body of the Convention, had recommended listing of white asbestos under Annex III as the World Health Organisation (WHO) had found that asbestos was harmful to human health and environment. It is a carcinogen.

The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade is aimed at helping developing countries in managing potentially hazardous chemicals imported by them.

Going back on its word
During the fifth Conference of Parties (COP5) in June 2011, the Indian delegation had agreed to the listing of chrysotile asbestos in the PIC list, and received a standing ovation at the plenary. Despite India’s support, COP5 had not been able to reach a consensus on the listing of chrysotile asbestos in the PIC list. The reason given was confusion over the meaning of 'listing' as opposed to 'banning'. With no consensus, the PIC listing was postponed to COP6.

At the ongoing COP6 in Geneva, the Indian delegation did not support the listing, citing reasons such as the utility of the substance, the finding of “no hazard” in domestic studies and the increased trade costs of the PIC Procedure. The Russian federation suggested removing the issue from further consideration by the COP as there had been no consensus earlier. The COP forwarded the issue to the Contact Group on Listing of Chemicals. However, the agenda item was closed today, with chrysotile asbestos still not included in PIC.
M Subba Rao, director of MoEF, did not comment on the matter and said RN Jindal, assistant director, MoEF, who is also a part of the Indian delegation in Geneva, should be contacted.

Lobbies at work
It is believed that India had changed its stand based on a study conducted by the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH) and the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) on effects of use of chrysotile asbestos on health and the environment. The study was done twice, in 2008 and in 2011, for big and small industries separately. The report released in May 2012 says the fibre concentration in predominant samples was found to be within permissible exposure levels.

The asbestos-cement industry is the largest user of chrysotile fibres, accounting for about 85 per cent of all use. The entire requirement of chrysotile asbestos is met through imports. The domestic industry in India is worth over USD 1 billion, and provides employment to a few thousand people.

“It is shocking that the ministry is quoting a discredited study by NIOH for not listing Chrysotile in PIC. Through RTI queries it had been exposed that the NIOH study was funded by major asbestos industries. The industry lobby bought the Indian delegates during COP6. We are thinking of moving court,” said Gopal Krishna of non-profit ToxicsWatch Alliance.

C Jayakumar, director of Thanal Conservation Action and Information Network, who attended the COP6 meet and is back in India, said that Indian delegates seemed clueless about what was going on at the meet. “My colleagues are still there attending the meetings and they informed me that India quoted a discredited study to oppose the listing of chrysotile asbestos,” he said, adding that the industry seems to have strong influence on the delegation.

Global push for a ban
WHO cites 107,000 occupational deaths yearly from exposure to asbestos. Chrysotile asbestos, in particular, is a toxic carcinogen. WHO, the International Labour Organization and the World Bank have all called for an end to the use of this substance. Over the past century, chrysotile asbestos represented 95 per cent of all asbestos sold, with all other forms of asbestos representing five per cent of asbestos sold. Today, it is the only form of asbestos in use.

The Union for the International Control of Cancer (2012), comprising more than 700 member organisations in 155 countries, the World Federation of Public Health Associations (2005), the International Commission on Occupational Health (2000), the International Social Security Association (2004), the Collegium Ramazzini (1999, 20105) and the International Trade Union Confederation (2004) – representing 175 million workers in 151 countries – have all called for a global ban on the use of all forms of asbestos, particularly chrysotile asbestos.

India earlier had not supported the inclusion of paraquat dichloride, a highly toxic substance used as a herbicide in diluted form, under Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention, similarly stating there was no scientific basis for the stated threshold limit in the proposal.

Soma Basu
Down To Earth

Comments

The asbestos lobby is transparently behind the about turn in India's stand. With elections around the corner, is it any wonder? Vistasp Mehta

In Geneva, India U-turn on chrysotile asbestos:The Asian Age

In Geneva, India U-turn on chrysotile asbestos

In a dramatic turnaround, India has altered its earlier position and opposed listing of chrysotile asbestos as a hazardous substance at the sixth meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP-6) in Geneva.

Substances listed under annex 111 of the Rotterdam Convention of COP-6 demand that exporting countries must give details about the toxicity of the substances to importing nations in order that the latter can give their prior informed consent (PIC) in matters of trade.

In COP-6, India has, under obvious pressure from the asbestos lobby, taken a viewpoint that since chrysotile asbestos possesses utility, it cannot be brought under the ambit of the PIC.

But in 2011, during COP 5, India received a standing ovation when leader of the delegation Meera Mahrishi, additional secretary in the environment ministry, had declared at the plenary that chrysotile asbestos must be so listed.

The turnaround is all the more strange because the ministry’s own website has placed it under the list of hazardous substances.

The present delegation, led by Ajay Tyagi, joint secretary in the environment ministry, was not willing to go public on India’s changed stance but a senior bureaucrat cited a study conducted by the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH) and the department of chemicals and petrochemicals (DCPC) on the effects of the use of chrysotile asbestos on both workers health and environment.

The report stated that it was not hazardous and that it was within permissible exposure levels.
Panning the NIOH and DCPC study, Gopal Krishna, heading Toxics Watch Alliance, said, “We have done a series of RTIs to show that the asbestos industry was the major funder for the NIOH study. We also question why the Indian delegation to Geneva had included two representatives from the asbestos industry.
We are planning to move court over this issue.”

Activists have been demanding that chrysotile asbestos be listed as a hazardous substance. A similar recommendation has been made by the United Nations’ Chemical Review Committee which comprises a group of 31 leading scientists from across the globe.

India’s asbestos cement industry is a large consumer of chrysotile fibres and uses 85 per cent of its imports.

Glare on asbestos risk U-turn: The Telegraph

Glare on asbestos risk U-turn

New Delhi, May 15: India’s environment ministry has ignored domestic laws and reneged on its own pledge by telling a global convention there is not enough evidence to show that asbestos is hazardous to health, a non-government group said today.
The group, called Toxics Watch Alliance, has complained to the Centre that the ministry delegation’s position at the UN’s Rotterdam Convention in Geneva earlier this month was contrary to Indian laws and the ministry’s own earlier decision.
Toxics Watch Alliance said the ministry delegation had told the convention that studies by Ahmedabad’s National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH) had shown no hazards from white chrysotile asbestos, widely used in the construction industry to make asbestos-cement material.
The convention was debating the need to include chrysotile asbestos into a special list of hazardous substances that would make it obligatory for exporting countries to alert importing countries about shipments.
In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Toxics Watch Alliance has said it appears (asbestos) industry representatives have “overwhelmed government representatives who were made to take a position against human health and the environment”.
The group has cited several domestic laws that classify asbestos as a hazardous substance. The ministry’s own vision statement says: “Alternatives to asbestos may be used to the extent possible and use of asbestos may be phased out.”
Toxics Watch Alliance also cited a concept paper by the Union labour ministry circulated at an India-European Union conference on occupational health that said the Indian government was “considering a ban on the use of chrysotile asbestos in India to protect the workers and general population against primary and secondary exposure to chrysotile form of asbestos”.
It said the ministry stand this year was a “volte-face” over its support for the listing of asbestos as a hazardous substance indicated by the environment ministry’s own delegation at the previous Rotterdam Convention meeting in 2011.
“In 2011, India received a standing ovation for its support, we are saddened by what happened this year,” said Gopal Krishna, a representative of Toxics Watch Alliance in New Delhi.
The Union environment secretary and the head of the environment ministry delegation to the convention this year were not available for comment. Another member of the delegation declined to provide any response.
Toxics Watch Alliance has said documents it obtained through the Right to Information Act have shown that the chrysotile asbestos industry had provided Rs 16 lakh to the NIOH study that cost about Rs 60 lakh.
The non-government group said the documents also reveal that a review committee of the NIOH study had said that the report of the findings would be “finalised after due discussions with the asbestos industry”.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer had said in 2009 that “there is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of all forms of asbestos”.