Occupational
Health India (OHI)
Date: September 5, 2013
To
Director General
Directorate
General of Mines Safety. (DGMS)
Dhanbad Date: September 5, 2013
Subject-Seeking relief from the
abandoned asbestos mines in Roro, Chaibasa, Jharkhand
Sir,
This is with reference to the
presentation which I had made before you at the Jaipur conference
co-organised by Australian University and MLPC. Subsequent to that I met
Dy. Director general, DGMS Ghaziabad on September 4, 2013 with regard to relief from the
abandoned asbestos mines in Roro, Chaibasa, Jharkhand. I submitted a letter to him but he asked me to contact you in this matter.
This is to draw your kind attention towards the asbestos related incurable
occupational and non-occupational diseases caused by the exposure to lung
cancer causing fibers from the abandoned asbestos mines in Roro.
It may be noted that the
liability for asbestos related diseases remain a huge issue in the entire
developed world leading to bankruptcy of hundreds of companies due to
compensation money they have to pay to victims of asbestos related deaths and ailments.
Dow Chemicals Company has set up an asbestos compensation fund of 2.2 billion US
Dollars for the asbestos related liability of Union Carbide Corporation which
is now its subsidiary in the aftermath of the Industrial Disaster of Bhopal.
I submit that human biology of people in Jharkhand isn’t any different.
It is important to prepare a Health Management Plan for Mesothelioma, Lung cancer and Asbestosis
related problems emerging for these abandoned mines Jharkhand.
I submit that it is relevant to recollect the sad legacy of
undivided Bihar, the unpardonable act of vanishing hazardous companies and the
asbestos mines in places like Roro Hills in Chaibasa,
West Singhbhum. The death toll and the disease burden that has emerged due to
this abandoned asbestos mine must be ascertained because it would provide
valuable lessons in preventive medicine. The Roro hills
is infamous for an abandoned asbestos mine. It is estimated that nearly
0.7 million tons of asbestos waste mixed with chromite-bearing host rock lies
scattered here and in 25 years no study has been conducted to assess the fate
of this hazardous waste dumped improperly on top of Roro
hills. The waste material extends several meters down slope spreading into the
paddy fields on the foothills of Roro. About 40
centimeters of thick silty waste of crushed rocks is spread over the paddy
fields and poisoning the local residents.
I submit that there is a need for an official health survey
of 14 villages around the Roro hills and the former
workers of the Roro asbestos mines. There is a link
between the asbestos exposures and several adverse health effects such as
shortness of breath indicating respiratory ailments.
I wish to inform you that local newspaper clippings from
Singbhumi Ekta, a weekly from Chaibasa, published between January and August
1981, include a press release from the late P. Mazumdar, the leader of the
United Mine Workers Union, affiliated to All India Trade Union Congress
(AITUC) states that 30 workers from Roro mines had
died of asbestosis. You may ascertain the fate of ex-workers from the Roro mines from Roro and Tilaisud
villages. The Roro mines were closed down in 1983 after
Hyderabad Asbestos Cement Products Ltd. (now known as Hyderabad Industries
Limited) decided that they were no longer profitable even at the cost of human
health in general and workers health in particular.
I submit that there are ex miners
who have died before their times. “So many people have died before they turned
forty,’ says Birsingh Sondi, Sahayak Munda (Deputy Chief) of Roro, who points
to his neighbour’s house, “There lived Mangalsingh Sondi, who was 25 when he
died.” He shares some narratives.
Dumbi Boipai, an ex-miner who
feels recurring pain in his chest remembers his fellow miners who all are dead,
he mumbles first to himself and then aloud, “Pooliya Sondi, Rohto Gop, Vijay
Singh Sondi, Rahto Samadh,” and he suddenly refuses to speak as he takes a
gasp. Some like Mukund Sundi are barely alive. His young wife is helpless,
resigned, refusing to talk. “I worked in
the crusher, where they produced asbestos,” says Mukund Sundi. They use to pay
us Rs 7 a day.” Some of his symptoms match TB, but doctors can't pinpoint his
illness and so they offer no cure.
There has been no assistance for
Mangal Sundi from his former employers. “Koi
nahi aya madad ke liye. Koi mera ilaj bhi nahi karwata.” (No one ever has
come up for help. No one got me treated.), Sundi in a whisper.
There are many victims of Roro
and the 14 surrounding villages who recall days of reckless mining operations
and deplorable conditions of miners. Persistent cough, haemoptysis, pain in
chest while breathing is common health complaints. As per Jun Sunwai reports of a public hearing by Jharkhand Organisation
for Human Rights (JOHAR) conducted in 2003, the testimonials of villagers say:
Jeevan Tubid, 50, is an ex
underground mine worker who lost his leg while working in the underground mines
of Roro as a loader. He has almost lost his eye sight and has intense pain in
his lower back. No compensation has been paid yet to him by the mining company.
Pandu Pradhan, 45, almost lost
his eye sight while working as a Timber man in the underground mines of Roro.
The company gave him spectacles but no compensation.
Lakhan Doraiburu, 70, heavy
equipment fell on his leg while working in the plant. No proper treatment was
given to him for his injury. He still has lot of pain in his legs. He recalls
workers in milling plant were given jaggery to eat. Many of his co-workers in
the plant died while working or after the closure of the mines. Workers died of
chest pain and spitting blood. No count of how many workers died and of what
disease. No medical tests were done on workers while they were employed. No
information was divulged on the medical conditions of the workers who were examined
by the company doctors.
Indeed if there is one example of
sheer corporate and Government negligence, it is this.
I submit that workers who are
exposed to asbestos and they are suffering from asbestos-related diseases like
asbestosis and mesothalamia. Doctors call them TB patients, as they want to
save their employers from giving any compensation.
I
submit that as per section 22 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act 1981, all asbestos mines have to be closed. The Hyderabad Industry Limited
of the CK Birla Group did not close their mines at Roro village at Chaibasa,
Jharkhand. The asbestos fibres that are blown into the wind, that seep into the
fields and rivers, still exist 30 years after the mines shut down.
I submit that at present there is
a moratorium on grant/renewal of asbestos mines as per a letter of Government
of India dated July 9, 1986. What led do this continuing moratorium? In the
pre-moratorium era workers were knowingly exposed to carcinogenic fibers of
asbestos by a company which had engaged them in the mining of asbestos.
I submit that the consistent
failure of several institutions both at the state and the national level is
quite stark. None of the institutions including Union Ministry of Mines,
Government of India seem to have heard about public health crisis that has
engulfed Roro.
I submit that there a case for
complete ban on all kinds mining of asbestos and ensuring legal and medical
remedy for the victims of occupational and non-occupational exposure to
asbestos. It must be noted that unless the company which abandoned the asbestos
mines is made accountable and liable for its acts of omission and commission,
the victims of asbestos related diseases will not get justice in Roro and even
in manufacturing and other allied activities of the asbestos industry.
In view of the above I urge you to undertake remedial
measures for present and future generations can be taken before these victims
of Jharkhand State get engulfed in the epidemic of incurable but preventable
asbestos related diseases. To begin with a compensation fund and a remediation
cell for abandoned mines of Roro may be set up as it is of seminal importance
to prevent at least preventable diseases and deaths.
Your reply and considered advice in this matter will be eagerly awaited.
Thanking You
Gopal Krishna
Occupational Health India (OHI)
ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA)
Occupational Health India (OHI)
ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA)
