At a Glance:
India banned asbestos mining in the year 1993. The country, however, remains one of the world’s largest importers of chrysotile asbestos. Many countries have banned asbestos, citing health dangers, such as those well stated by the World Health Organization. However, industries like construction can’t resist the use of asbestos despite its cost-effectiveness. The health problems arising from asbestos exposure, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, have been well documented, but India remains heavily reliant on this mineral, which is a very big public health issue.
What Year Was Asbestos Banned in India?
India has been one of the global centers of consumption of asbestos for decades, and even though India stopped mining asbestos in 1993, it remains one of the largest importers of chrysotile asbestos, which is generally consumed in the construction and manufacturing sectors. Although its mining was prohibited, India continues to face major issues pertaining to asbestos-containing materials’ regulation and consumption. Knowing the timeline and implications of India’s asbestos ban sets a clearer picture with regards to health risks, regulations, and solution comprehension.
History of Asbestos in India
Asbestos has been in India since several decades ago, largely implemented because it was a cost-effective material, resistant to heat, and long-lasting. These properties made it suitable for various industries-from construction to automotive companies. It did have applications in all kinds of areas. Since the 1980s, however, studies revealed that asbestos exposure posed severe risks to humans, especially dangerous diseases such as mesothelioma and cancer.
In response to these health issues, and to answer what year was asbestos banned in India – it was in 1993, but this ban didn’t extend to the use or importation of asbestos-containing products. In contrast to countries like Canada, which used to mine very large quantities of asbestos, had later totally banned it, India has been a bit more gradual in its approach.
Chrysotile Asbestos: The Continued Dilemma
One of the major components of asbestos is chrysotile asbestos, commonly known as white asbestos, and it is one of the major contributing factors to the country’s continued dependence on asbestos products. Even though the government has taken steps to regulate the use of asbestos, the country still continues to import large quantities of asbestos, primarily for the manufacture of asbestos-cement sheets, brake linings and insulation products.
Although chrysotile asbestos is classified as one of the toxic chemicals, partial to complete phasing out of the very cheap and useful product in construction materials still presents challenges. India’s asbestos consumers are also against its removal on the world stage. In 2017, during the Rotterdam Convention, India opposed the inclusion of asbestos in the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) list of hazardous products so that it could come under strict international regulations.
Legal Scenario and Health Concerns
India has taken a restrictive stance on asbestos. It recognises that the compound is risky to health and has laid down regulations to deal with its use, but enforcement has been weak. Therefore, industries have been using asbestos products, allegedly violating most of the safety principles designed to regulate the use of such products. The main reasons for the government not imposing a blanket ban are economic. If anything, the construction industry relies heavily on cheap asbestos-based products.
Many health experts and environmental activists demand that the government take a tough stance on banning asbestos altogether. It has been proven that long-term exposure to asbestos fibres leads to serious respiratory diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Without such a blanket ban, many vulnerable workers and communities are exposed to these dangerous risks.
What year was asbestos banned globally?
India is moving in the opposite direction of the global trend where many countries, including the United States, European Union countries and Australia have banned the use of asbestos, as it is hazardous to health. A complete ban on the use of asbestos was implemented in many European countries in the 1990s. Countries like Canada followed suit in 2018. Meanwhile, India imports a considerable amount of chrysotile asbestos annually for construction and manufacturing purposes.
Notably, the EPA has been a pioneer in terms of asbestos regulation and eventual ban in the United States. In 1989, the EPA asbestos ban attempted to completely stall the sale, use and distribution of asbestos products; however, this was rolled back due to massive litigation on behalf of the asbestos industry. Without globalization of mandates, asbestos remains an issue that is not widely agreed upon, with third world countries such as India continuing to consider economic utility over health concerns.
Economic and political reasons behind the continued use of asbestos
The reason for the presence of asbestos in India today – despite EPA asbestos ban and other movements globally – is basically economic. They are much cheaper than their alternatives, and the construction industry particularly depends on it. There is a huge demand for asbestos-cement roofing sheets in the rural sector, where affordable housing has to be provided. In addition, a large number of workers are employed in the chrysotile asbestos industry and, therefore, the issue also gets a political dimension.
Industrial growth and the demand for affordable housing in India have maintained a constant level of demand for asbestos. Economic pressure does not allow the government to take the tough decision to ban the use of asbestos despite such decisive and undeniable dangers to human life. Activists and environmental groups demand a complete ban due to the long-term health risks associated with the use of asbestos and a shift towards safer alternatives.
Asbestos Use in India: Role of Importers
The main reason for continuous use of asbestos in India is due to the contribution of importers in the country’s asbestos industry. Though India has stopped its asbestos mining since 1993, the country has still emerged as one of the largest importers of chrysotile asbestos, mainly from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Brazil. Such imports are consequently utilized in the manufacture of various products, such as roofing sheets, flooring, and even insulation products. Asbestos industry has a strong economic influence in both the construction and automobile industries, and the reason that asbestos-containing materials persist in India despite mounting evidence of health risks is of predominantly economic interest.
Also Read: Difference Between Chemical Importers and Exporters in India
Moving Forward: Can Asbestos Be Fully Banned in India?
A complete ban of asbestos in India would lower public health risks by a huge margin and enforce the development of safer alternatives. Regulations have already been established, but these do not cover the risks associated with chrysotile asbestos properly. India finds itself on challenging grounds regarding the balance between economic interests, particularly construction, with the growing need for public health protection. This would mean investing in asbestos substitute materials and would strengthen the legal framework. Until then, the country is at risk, and more radical steps are called for in defending its vulnerable workers and communities against asbestos-related illnesses.
Public Awareness and Advocacy for an Absolute Ban
Indian society has been witnessing increased public awareness and activism on health problems due to asbestos in the last few years. Various organizations, including the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), have aired views and stretched efforts to engage with a large section of society regarding the health risk posed by exposure to asbestos. Although there have been some efforts by the government to regulate its use, increasing pressure from these groups has emerged to enforce a complete asbestos ban. However, even issues of global health impacts, particularly incidence rates of mesothelioma and lung cancer, have triggered public interest in stricter regulations. Public campaigns on health and advocacy have raised the need for a national policy that would ensure asbestos phasing out and support those industries which are phasing out to replace with safer alternatives.
Emerging Alternatives to Asbestos in India
Although asbestos has remained the leading product in India’s market, there are current emerging alternatives to asbestos-based materials. For decades, industries have been experimenting with and gradually incorporating fiber-cement boards, glass wool, and rock wool for construction and insulation purposes. Though the change to safer options has been slow, there’s hope for the reduction in the country’s reliance on more dangerous asbestos. India can compensate for these health risks by encouraging innovation and subsidizing safer materials while still fulfilling the urgent demand for affordable building products that are also durable.
Conclusion
Although India had banned asbestos mining in 1993, the country remains a leading importer of chrysotile asbestos mainly because of economic motives and the need to acquire cheap materials for construction. The continued risks to health posed by asbestos are very well established, and a comprehensive ban on its use could go a long way in serving public health purposes. Such efforts are, however, counterbalanced by the ongoing urge to grow industrially-the kind of growth the construction industry seeks. New alternatives to asbestos are slowly opening up vistas for a safer and greener India.
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