New Delhi: On the occasion of the Environment Day, Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI) demands an immediate ban on white asbestos. India faces a massive and completely preventable epidemic of early, painful death and suffering caused by asbestos. In the first part of this century at least 30 people will die each day of an asbestos related disease as per an estimate.

Because of absence of any mechanism to identify the asbestos victims, the danger India faces is much alarming than has been the case in United Kingdom, Australia and now the U.S. where asbestos disease epidemic has reached its peak. Asbestos claims the life of one out of every 125 American men who die over the age of 50. According to a detailed analysis of government mortality records and epidemiological studies by the Environmental Working Group Action Fund, ten thousand Americans die each year - a rate approaching 30 deaths per day - from diseases caused by asbestos.

The killing effects of asbestos has been known for nearly 100 years, despite this in the coming years thousands of Indian citizens will die of asbestos related diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis due to callousness of the Indian government. Despite the ban on asbestos by over 36 countries and a incessant global movement against this killer fiber, the government has responded merely by setting up one committee after another. The Ministry of Health acknowledged in August 2003 that as per the studies of National Institute of Occupational Health that exposure from asbestos causes lung cancer, asbestosis and death but has stopped short of recommending its ban and contrary to its own study the Indian representatives at Rotterdam Convention, Geneva in November 2003 opposed its inclusion in the list Hazardous Substances subject to trade control.

The groups highly exposed to asbestos include metal-plate workers, shipyard workers, vehicle body builders, railway wagons builders, building trade workers, including plumbers and gas fitters and construction managers and other professionals. Other groups which figure are chemical and electrical engineers and scientists; welders; dockers; draughtsmen; laboratory technicians. It poses huge risk to the ordinary citizens as well. This is evidenced by findings of asbestos related diseases in patients with no known history of asbestos exposure.

There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. The fine asbestos fibers enter the body mainly through breathing. Fibres that cannot be coughed up or breathed out become trapped, causing cancers and irreparable scarring of the lungs. Only concerted immediate action by government, environment, health groups and trade unions can save lives.

Since asbestos causes lung cancer and death, what is required is a judicial ruling or an executive order which states that subjecting a worker or common man to asbestos is a violation of human rights. As a consequence efforts would be made to substitute an estimated 3,000 asbestos products with available alternatives such a PVA, Steel etc. As is the case with doctors, students, teachers and construction workers in Delhi, all cities and villages of India remain oblivious of the fact that asbestos products surround the places they work in. There is enough global evidence about its cancer causing nature therefore, it is high time doctors in particular lifted the lid on asbestos in hospitals and schools to force the authorities concerned to make our environment asbestos free.

The Resident Welfare Associations in cities and heads of villages should call for boycott of asbestos products. Asbestos should be removed from Indian Railways and Defense Establishment in the interest of "public safety". According to a study conducted by the Institute of Public Health Engineering (IPHE), "The profound tragedy of the asbestos epidemic is that all illnesses and deaths related to asbestos were entirely preventable by not using asbestos. The threat to health was known and alternative viable substitutes were available." The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry under the new Indian Government should initiate action to make India asbestos free. It must take note of global ban on all forms of asbestos and encourage the public to boycott asbestos containing products.

Both governments of National Capital Region and Union Government must initiate the process of banning import and use of asbestos without any further delay before India becomes synonymous with asbestos deaths.

Members of BANI include- Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti-Gujarat, Mines, Minerals and People-Delhi, Mine Labour Protection Campaign-Rajasthan, Banjara Development Society, Greenpeace-Delhi, People’s Training Resource Centre-Gujarat and Occupational Health Safety Association-Gujarat and others.