A scientific study completed in 2019 in India titled National Study on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Environment sheds new light on the health of people in relation with the use, in that country, of the serpentine fibre known as chrysotile.
One must bear in mind that, for a number of years, the anti-asbestos lobbies have spared no effort in order to make it illegal the use of said fibre. Nevertheless, it remains a key element in the fight to improve the population’s health and socio-economic conditions in emerging countries, an issue linked to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as access to water and sanitation facilities for the most vulnerable.
It is also useful to remember that these lobbies have never been able to scientifically demonstrate the truth of their allegations nor to explain clearly the true motivations behind their campaigns. A few years ago, some of their campaigners were even found guilty of conflict of interest, because of the support they received from businesses competing with those who produced chrysotile. Such situation should have been strongly exposed but, alas, we can’t count on those same lobbies’ spokespersons to do so!
Competent authorities in countries which have taken pains to gather information on this matter have known for the longest time that in India, the chrysotile industry has made every effort to ensure that this fibre is used responsibly. They are also aware that, in a vast majority of cases, it is used in conditions such that people’s health and the environment are never subjected to an unacceptable level of risk.
This new study confirms that, in large industries and in most workplaces, the methods and work practices, governed by stringent rules and monitoring processes, are such that the whole program of controlled use is effectively in place.
The study’s authors reiterate the dispositions of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Convention no 162 concerning Safety in the Use of Asbestos and remind businesses of the importance of its recommendations. The ICA fully agrees with Convention no 162, which it has been promoting since its entry into force.
This recent study confirms once again that in India, the safe and responsible use is not a chimera, but an everyday reality. Accordingly, they offered some recommendations as follow:
Health monitoring of asbestos exposed workers in asbestos cement product industry should be carried out at regular intervals for the identification of any effect of asbestos fibre in them. The abnormal findings detected by X-ray & HRCT of the workers should be dealt with appropriate statutes.
Asbestos fibre handling and processing in all Asbestos Cement Product Industries should be done with utmost care so as to avoid escape and emission of fibres in atmosphere.
Local Exhaust Ventilation (1) Asbestos feeding, bag opening should be carried out by automatic or semiautomatic machines and conveyers, (2) Filter bags or the cyclone dust collecting system should be provided with automatic vibrators to prevent chocking, (3) Dust accumulated in the exhaust system and dust collectors should be clean periodically and the system maintained efficiently, (4) Fine fibres discharged from the dust collecting system should be checked periodically for performance and defects, if found any, should be rectified, (5) Asbestos dust and fibres deposited on plants, machinery and equipments and on the walls and floors should be periodically cleaned by vacuum cleaner.
Keeping in view the health hazards posed by exposure of Asbestos, it becomes imperative that all the units adopt and maintain efficient environmental control measures and good work practices to prevent the exposure of workers and achieve reduction in environmental asbestos fibres and maintain work place environment. The efficiency of ventilation system/dust control devices should be periodically monitored to maintain their effectiveness.
Storage and Handling of asbestos Bags (1) Sharp edged, pointed devices or hooks should be avoided for loading, unloading and lifting of asbestos bags, (2) Cranes, conveyors, elevators/ forklifts should be used for handling of asbestos bags, (3) Bags torn/ damaged during handling should be immediately repaired/ sealed with adhesive tape. After repairs/ sealing the bags should be cleaned by using vacuum cleaner to remove adhering asbestos fibres, (4) Split asbestos in case of damage of bags should be collected in impervious bags and reused in the process, (5) Floor cleaning in asbestos storage, handling and processing areas should be done using vacuum cleaner, (6) Each and every bag must be cleaned by a vacuum cleaner before taking out from warehouse to the production floor, (7) Asbestos bags should be stored in a separate room away from the manufacturing plant, (8) Storage should be well ventilated with a separate entrance.
Plant Layout, Design and Ventilation (1) Plant building should be well ventilated and have separate entrances and exits not connected with other department, (2) Inner surface of the walls and flooring of the building should be even, smooth and impressive to prevent adherence and accumulation of asbestos dust, (3) As far as possible, process and operations such as cutting of pipes, sheets and moulds, surface filling, turning etc. should be carried out under wet condition.
Work Uniform and Personal Hygiene (1) Work uniforms made from smooth cloth and not having any pocket and folds should be provided to worker, (2) A room provided with exhaust system for workers to change their cloths, (3) Workers to de-duct their body and work uniform in a separate chamber before proceeding to canteen or home, (4) Contaminated uniform to be collected in a container and sent for laundry, (5) Workers should be properly instructed strictly not to eat and drink on the shop floor or smoke in the factory, (6) As for as possible non-smokers should be employed in the factory and smoking habits should be discouraged.
Environmental Monitoring (1) Environmental monitoring should be periodically conducted at all dust emitting locations/operations, (2) Equipment and method used for environmental monitoring should follow standards, test procedures and calibrations.
Personal Protective Equipments (1) The workers engaged in asbestos handling and processing area should be provided with dust respirators, (2) Workers engaged in filing, drilling, trimming and cutting of asbestos cement sheets/pipes also should be provided with dust respirators, (3) Workers should be educated and trained about the health hazards, safe handling of asbestos and use of PPEs, (4) Cautionary notice board in local language should be displayed at appropriate place.
The workers in Asbestos Cement Product Industry (ACPI) should be trained and educated from time to time to generate awareness among the them about the health hazards of asbestos, safety in handling and processing of asbestos fibres, housekeeping, disposal of waste material, use, care and maintenance of personal protective equipment etc.
Chrysotile Association