Despite
all the evidence to the contrary, India continues to deny the dangers of
asbestos. India’s $2 billion asbestos industry imports over 400,000 tons of asbestos
a year, making it the world’s biggest importer of the deadly mineral.
The
World Health Organization reports that 107,000 people die worldwide every year
from exposure to asbestos, but India’s industry officials dismiss the WHO’s “claims”
as rubbish, saying the statistics are meaningless. Even India’s top official in
charge of hazardous materials and chairman of the Central Pollution Control
Board denies there is any credible data showing that asbestos isn’t safe. Oddly
enough, India banned the mining of asbestos some 30 years ago.
India
can deny all they want, but it doesn’t change the fact that asbestos is indeed
dangerous and deadly. Due to a lack of public awareness, poor record keeping,
and poor enforcement of safety laws, it is hard to know how many of India’s
citizens are getting sick. But as the country’s use of asbestos continues, the
situation will only get worse.
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