To
Ms. Safina A.N
District Magistrate
Bhojpur, Bihar
Subject- Hazards from proposed Killer Asbestos Plants in Bhojpur
Madam,
Pursuant to my earlier letter which was copied to you, this is to bring to your notice that there is a serious and unprecedented environmental and occupational hazard from asbestos fibers which cause incurable diseases like lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. It is globally acknowledged. This grave problem is also required to be addressed as it not only violates Article 21 of the Constitution but also human rights of present and future generations.
I wish to put on record the fact that every year 10, 000 people are dying in USA due to diseases caused by past exposures of asbestos. Similar is the condition in other developed countries. In the developing countries, the diseases are not even recorded because none of our 300 medical colleges have the competence to even diagnose the disease. In any case disease caused by asbestos fibers are preventable but incurable.
With this letter I am seeking your intervention to stop the proposed asbestos plants in Bhojpur. There are two asbestos plants proposed in Bhojpur district.
The first one is proposed to be set up by Chennai based Ramco Industries Ltd. The proposal is to establish a 120,000 MT/Annum capacity of Asbestos Cement Sheet Plant and 2 Lakh MT/Annum capacity of Asbestos Grinding Plant at Industrial Area, Bihiya. The total project area is 20 acres and land is allotted by BIADA on lease for 90 years. On 10th May, 2010, the project was discussed by the Experts Appraisal Committee (EAC), Industry. In the minutes of the EAC, there explicit reference to "Health Management Plan for Mesothalimoa, Lung cancer and Asbestosis related problems in asbestos industries".
The Executive Director (Industries), Govt. of Bihar has issued a certificate vide letter no. 3168/D/135/DO/ BIADA/09 dated 10th May, 2010 indicating location of the project in notified industrial area Bihiya. No reserve forests is located within 10 Km. Total cost of the project is Rs. 30 Crores (as mentioned in the minutes of EAC). The Bihar'S State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) cleared it on 23rd November, 2009. Here its total investment is mentioned as Rs 60.20 crore.
The second one is proposed by Chennai based Nibhi Industries Pvt. Ltd, . It plans to establish the One Lakh MT Capacity Asbestos Fiber Cement Corrugated Sheet, Flat Sheet and Accessories and Light Weight Fly Ash Block Plant at Industrial Growth Centre, Giddha, Ara. This has been approved in SIPB meeting on 19th October, 2009. The total investment for the plant is Rs 31 crore.
I can provide documentary evidence for each of the things I am mentioning below.
1. At the outset, I wish to refer to the problem of asbestosis, as considered in detail by the Supreme Court in Consumer Education and Research Centre and Others versus Union of India decided on 27.1.1995 and reported in 1995 (3) SCC 42. The Supreme Court referred to various reports/documents to establish that all forms of Asbestos including the “chrysotile” (white asbestos) is carcinogenic in nature.
2. The WHO and ILO Resolutions have called for elimination of future use of asbestos. The relevant documents are attached for your perusal.
3. The cancer causing nature of chrysotile asbestos (white asbestos) fibres has been acknowledged since 1977 by the International bodies, such as International Agency for Research on Cancer and the WHO. In these circumstances, we find that the panel remained well within the bounds in its discretion in finding that chrysotile cement products pose a risk to human life or health.
4. It is relevant to point out that till date, 55 countries have banned the use of all forms of asbestos including
chrysotile.
5. The Kerala State Human Rights Commission considered the problem created by asbestos and directed that the use of asbestos for roofing the school buildings should be stopped and they should be replaced with country tiles. The Kerala State Human Rights Commission, while giving these directions, had considered the judgment of the Supreme Court.
6. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) too has passed an order in Case No:693/30/97-98 recommending that the asbestos sheets roofing be replaced with roofing made up of some other material that would not be harmful. The Annual Report of NHRC 2003-2004 refers to a Report entitled “Asbestos – Health and Environment – an in-depth Study “submitted by the Institute of Public Health Engineers, India. The study underlines that safe and controlled use of asbestos is not possible. The asbestos related disease are incurable and fatal. Human biology is same everywhere if the asbestos is deemed hazardous in the developed countries, it must be deemed so in Bihar as well.
7. It is high time you took cognisance of problem of asbestos related diseases to take necessary steps for its prevention and appropriate remedial steps are taken, it would be deemed a very welcome public health, progressive and historic intervention for which you will be saluted by the posterity.
In view of the facts mentioned above, I wish to request you to initiate appropriate and immediate to steps to stop the proposed asbestos plants in Bhojpur to protect present and future generations from the lethal fibers of asbestos.
warm regards
Gopal Krishna
Convener
Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI)
Asbestos Mukti Andolan
New Delhi
Mb: 09818089660, 07739308480
E-mail:krishna2777@gmail.com
Blog:banasbestosindia.blogspot.com
Cc
Shri Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister, Bihar
Superintendent of Police, Bhojpur
