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Asbestos-related morbidity in India
Tushar Kant Joshi1, Rohit K Gupta
1Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, B. L. Taneja Block, Lok Nayak Hospital (Govt. of NCT of Delhi), New Delhi-110 002, India. joshitk@vsnl.com
International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
|September 12, 2003
Summary
India faces challenges with asbestos imports due to insufficient local supply. A ban-asbestos movement is gaining strength, countering industry efforts to promote chrysotile asbestos despite health concerns.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Occupational Safety
Background:
- India relies heavily on imported asbestos, primarily from Canada, to meet domestic demand.
- The asbestos industry actively lobbies against import tariffs and promotes the safe use of chrysotile asbestos.
- Health and safety advocates, alongside NGOs, formed the Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI) to counter industry influence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the dynamics of the asbestos industry in India.
- To examine the challenges faced by the ban-asbestos movement.
- To assess the impact of industry lobbying and propaganda on policy decisions regarding asbestos use.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of industry lobbying efforts and propaganda tactics.
- Review of legislative weaknesses and data gaps exploited by the industry.
- Tracking the momentum and influence of the ban-asbestos movement.
Main Results:
- The asbestos industry uses influence and misinformation to sabotage efforts for a ban.
- Weak legislation and lack of data are exploited to downplay health risks.
- The ban-asbestos movement has gained significant traction, pushing for government consideration of a ban.
Conclusions:
- The ban-asbestos movement in India is growing, posing a challenge to the asbestos industry.
- Continued advocacy and stronger legislation are crucial to overcome industry manipulation.
- There is a growing possibility of a future ban on asbestos use in India.