Ban-Asbestos-India: Press Conference/demonstration on dual standards of Quebec government

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Press Conference/demonstration on dual standards of Quebec government

Press Invite: Press Conference/demonstration on dual standards of Quebec government

Press Invite

To

The Editors/Bureau Chief

Subject: Press Conference/demonstration on dual standards of Quebec government in exporting toxic asbestos to India: 5th February 2010, New Delhi

This is to invite you to a press conference and a demonstration to expose Quebec’s dual standards in exporting toxic asbestos to India in the backdrop of the ongoing visit by Quebec's Premier Mr Charest for a trade mission to India. Over 100 scientists from 28 countries have sent a letter to Mr Charest on January 28, 2010 saying “Quebec itself is experiencing an appalling epidemic of asbestos-related disease… and yet it is exporting asbestos to developing countries where there are far less protections than in Quebec. This is simply indefensible." In his response to the media, on 29th January, Mr Charest has said that he will pay ‘no attention’ to the letter by the scientists.

Attempts by trade unions and workers in Mumbai and Delhi to meet with Mr Charest on 1st and 5th February, respectively has not been successful. Trade unions and voluntary organisations from India have sent letters to him which remains unresponded.

Members of the press are invited to the following on 5th February 2010 in New Delhi:

1. Demonstration by trade unions/voluntary groups: Time: 11.30 am, Venue: Infront of FICCI House, Mandi House (New Delhi)
2. Press Conference by trade unions/environmental and health activist: Time: 3-6 pm. Venue: Press Club of India, Raisina Road New Delhi 110 001.

Looking forward to your positive response.

For Details contact:

Mr Mohit Gupta (Occupational and Environmental Health Network of India)- 09811369045

Mr Gopal Krishna (Ban Asbestos Network of India) -09818089660

Mr Anup Srivastava (Building and Woodworkers International)- 09810238394

Mr. Amjad Hassan (Delhi Asangathit Nirman Mazdoor Union) - 09868157860

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Ban on Asbestos is a Must

A study in a peer-reviewed journal had earlier estimated that there could be more than 6,000 workers affected by asbestosis (an untreatable lung ailment) and another 600 suffering at the minimum from asbestosis-related lung cancer in India at present. Occupational cancer from asbestos, the disease caused by emissions at the work place, poses an increasingly serious health problem. But the subject has attracted relatively little attention from industry, labour, public health bodies or the medical profession. Asbestos is one of the single largest sources of occupational cancer. Indian polticians are acting as if they are bonded workers of asbestos industry.

World Trade Center, New York collapsed Thousands of tons of asbestos became airborne.

Back in 1981, there was research coming out that Asbestos was cancer causing and this ad was in rebuttal to that research touting the benefits of using Asbestos. The text over the Twin Towers states, "When the Fire Alarm Went Off, It Took Two Hours to Evacuate New York's World Trade Center." I do not need to remind anyone of the images of September 11th and this ad. The copy below the ad goes on to mention all of the places that Asbestos was used in the World Trade Center. I can not not think of all of the innocent victims in the area that were exposed to all of the dust, smoke and inherent asbestos that was in the air after the buildings collapsed. The cloud of smoke went across the entire city and potentially exposed hundreds of thousands of individuals to asbestos. Hopefully there can be a cure or treatment for Mesothelioma before all of these potential victims are diagnosed.

Apex Court allocates meagre compensation for asbetsos victims

In 1995, the Supreme Court of India fixed Rs 1 lakh compensation amount and identified National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH) as the final authority to certify asbestosis cases. Compensations are given through the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). Two workers in Ahmedabad Electricity Company diagnosed as having asbestosis by NIOH have been compensated by Gujarat High Court. Twenty-five workers in asbestos jointing and packing industry at Mumbai were compensated by the Special medical board of ESIC. The court ruled that the industrial units must maintain a health record of every worker up to a minimum period of 40 years; insure workers under the Employees State Insurance Act or Workmen’s Compensation Act and give health coverage to every worker.

Asbestos Victims

Every day estimated 30 deaths in India is under way due to the ongoing trade and use of white asbestos. 'Asbestos' in Greek means 'indestructible'. Greeks called asbestos the 'magic mineral'. Asbestos is a generic term, referring usually to six kinds of naturally occuring mineral fibres. Of these six, three are used more commonly. Chrysotile is the most common, accounts for almost 90 per cent of the asbestos used in the industry, but it is not unusual to encounter Amosite or Crocidolite as well. Though Crocidolite asbestos is banned in India, it can still be found in old insulation material, old ships that come from other countries for wrecking in India. All types of asbestos tend to break into very tiny fibre, almost microscopic. In fact, some of them may be up to 700 times smaller than human hair. Because of their small size, once released into the air, they may stay suspended in the air for hours or even days. Asbestos fibres are virtually indestructible. They are resistant to chemicals and heat, and are very stable in the environment. They do not evaporate into air or dissolve in water, and they do not break down over time. Because of its high durability and with tensile strength asbestos has been widely used inconstruction and insulation materials - it has been used in over 3,000 different products. Where do we use it? In India, asbestos is used in manufacture of pressure and non pressure pipes used for water supply, sewage, irrigation and drainage system in urban and rural areas, asbestos textiles, laminated products, tape, gland packing, packing ropes, brake lining and jointing used in core sector industries such as automobile, heavy equipment, petro-chemicals, nuclear power plants, fertilizers, thermal power plants, transportation, defence.

Make India Asbestos Free

Ban-Asbestos-India

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Press Conference/demonstration on dual standards of Quebec government

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