A rise in asbestos usage has been noticed in Asian countries especially in China and India. Based on this, the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat has published a report titled as Killing the Future: Asbestos Use in Asia.
This report mentions in detail the rising use of asbestos in Asia and the threat it poses to workers handling asbestos. Along with this, the report also mentions in detail the success of various campaigns that were run to lessen the importance of asbestos dangers as well the associated health risks. The report quotes an interview by Chairman of the Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers’ Association in India who claimed in one of his media appearances that the asbestos used in India is free of all health hazards and poses no risk to health of workers.
The other Asian country to make excessive use of asbestos is China. It has been noted that although China is one of the top 5 producers of asbestos in the world, even then it imports sizable amounts of asbestos from other countries. Much of this asbestos is imported from Russia that is used in various industries to meet domestic demands.
According to statistics, asbestos usage in China rose 40% just in four years from 2000 to 2004. The report mentions the health risks caused by extensive exposure to asbestos that are caused when asbestos is handled. Even natural disasters like earth quakes and tsunami have played an important role in exposing people to this harmful toxic. Mesothelioma, the cancer of lungs was considered very rare in this region, however with time and exposure, asbestos and mesothelioma cases are increasing in number.
The report in general covers all the Asians countries that are using asbestos to meet their national and domestic needs and stresses on the health risks it poses to their workers. It also stresses the increasing number of mesothelioma and asbestosis patients being reported in Asian countries as more and more people are being exposed to asbestos and emphasizes on the need to eliminate the use of this deadly carcinogen.
Check out full report Killing the Future: Asbestos Use in Asia
