Bihar revokes clearance for asbestos factories

While the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) had called for the elimination of asbestos in 2005 and 2006 respectively, the message finally reached authorities in Bihar with the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) cancelling the “no-objection certificate” given to asbestos factory units. In a recent order, the BSPCB chairperson ordered the Tamil Nadu-based industry to close their industrial units with immediate effect. The order said that if the units were not closed, “complaints shall be filed under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.”

With this, Bihar is all set to become free of asbestos-producing factories, joining more than 50 countries that have banned the production, use, manufacture and trade of the hazardous mineral fiber. Breathing in asbestos particles causes asbestosis, a disease of the lungs.

Earlier in Bihar, villagers had complained against the hazardous factories in their proximity. The companies involved had allegedly misled villagers and not disclosed to them that they were building asbestos factories. They had reportedly told villagers that they were setting up agro-based factories. The factories were also dumping the asbestos waste indiscriminately in the villages and agricultural fields. In India, asbestos mining is technically banned and trade in asbestos waste (dust and fibers) is also banned, but the process of banning trade, manufacture and use of white asbestos has been held up due to lobbying by asbetsos-producing countries. Asbestos-related diseases have a long incubation period, ranging from five to 25 years.

Even as the Union environment ministry’s vision statement on environment and human health reads, “Alternatives to asbestos may be used to the extent possible and use of asbestos may be phased out”, but the experts appraisal committee of the ministry continues to give environmental clearance to such hazardous industries.

“This is notwithstanding the fact that the government of India is considering the ban on use of chrysotile asbestos in India to protect workers and the general population against primary and secondary exposure,” said Gopal Krishna of ToxicsWatch.