India
India to tighten safety norms for asbestos units
By IANS
Jan 19, 2006, 15:23

India is planning to tighten health and safety norms in units manufacturing asbestos cement sheets and pipes, a senior official of the ministry of environment and forests said here Wednesday.

While India has banned use of blue asbestos, traditionally used for insulation but known to be a major health hazard, a similar step has not been taken as far as white asbestos is concerned.

The contention is that "white asbestos when embedded in cement is not a health hazard," Minister for Environment and Forests A. Raja said, addressing the annual editors' conference on social sector issues.

"There is no convincing proof that white asbestos when mixed with cement is hazardous. In any case, we have not found any substitute for asbestos-cement sheets used mostly as material for low cost housing," the minister said.

Over a dozen countries have already banned manufacture and use of any kind of asbestos, known to be the cause of cancer and several other health problems.

In the case of manufacturing units, the minister assured that safety regulations are being further tightened.

"An expert committee is formulating the guidelines for further stringent ambient air standards in industries manufacturing asbestos-cement sheets and pipes. We will be making it applicable at an early date," Naresh Dayal, additional secretary in the ministry of environment and forests told mediapersons.

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