New Delhi: At the Rotterdam Convention meeting currently underway in Geneva (17-21 November), Canada and Russia led a revolt of asbestos producing countries against the inclusion of chrysotile asbestos (white asbestos) on the international list of chemicals subject to trade controls, despite scientific findings that this substance is harmful for human health and the environment, and in spite of the clear obligation, under the treaty, for such a listing.

Indeed, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade had recommended the inclusion of all forms of asbestos to the international list of chemicals subject to trade control. If the recommendation had been adopted, these chemicals would have become subject to the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.

The listing of chrysotile would have been an effective step to minimize future harmful exposures as the PIC Convention stipulates the need for exporters to provide transparent information on chemicals and pesticides, such as chrysotile, which have been banned or restricted by at least two countries in two parts of the world.

The support from Indian government representatives in Geneva is contrary to the interests of Indian workers and citizens many of whom are contracting asbestos-related diseases, says Ravi Agarwal, director, Toxics Link.

The Canadian actions were condemned by the WWF, the conservation organization, which said: "Canada's objection to listing chrysotile is embarrassingly self-interested and makes a mockery of the Convention's (Rotterdam Convention) intent which is shared responsibility for health and the environmental protection between exporters and importers of harmful substances." Julia Langer, Director of the International Conservation Programme at WWF-Canada, added: "Notwithstanding the hazards of asbestos at home, if developing countries really want to buy Canada's carcinogenic asbestos they should only do so with full disclosure.

The position taken in Geneva by Canada, which produces and exports chrysotile internationally, was supported by delegates from Russia, the Ukraine, China, Zimbabwe, India, Indonesia, South Africa and Columbia.

On 14 November, the Press Trust of India reported on the plight of asbestos-injured workers from Digvijay Cement Company, Gujarat Composite Limited and the A Infrastructure Limited; instead of supporting the financial interests of global chrysotile producers, the Indian government should have expressed its concern for its injured citizens by demanding the inclusion of chrysotile on the PIC list, says spokesperson of Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI).

The EU and Chile undertook extensive risk evaluations before banning chrysotile and calling for the treaty listing, and the Convention's scientific review endorsed their findings by consensus. There is enough global evidence against chrysotile/white asbestos. There is no need for further proof for banning it, says Dr T .K Joshi, director, Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, New Delhi.

While some Indian government officials kowtow to the financial clout of our country's asbestos cement producers and their foreign supporters, others acknowledge the truth. On 18 August 2003, in the Rajya Sabha home, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, had said, "Studies by the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH), Ahmedabad, have shown that long-term exposure to any type of asbestos can lead to development of asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma".

Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI), a coalition of civil society groups, supports the proposed listing of chrysotile on the Rotterdam Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Convention because it alerts potential importers that chrysotile asbestos is a known cancer-causing agent, which poses a risk even at very low levels. We urge the Indian Government to consult with groups representing Indian workers and with officials such as Mrs. Sushma Swaraj who will report the reality of India's asbestos epidemic and not the mistruths being spread by a greedy and hazardous industry.