To
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/
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
E-mail: gopalkrishna1715@gmail.com
Web: www.toxicswatch.org
Cc
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
