Question : CLEARANCE TO ASBESTOS MANUFACTURING UNITS

(a) whether the Central Pollution Control Board has given clearance for setting up of asbestos manufacturing units/asbestos based factories in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise along with the total number of Asbestos manufacturing units in the country, State-wise;

(c) whether these factories have been violating environmental norms;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for giving then environmental clearance;

(e) whether any epidemiological study on Asbestos related diseases has been conducted in the country; and

(f) if so, the details thereof along with the outcome of this study?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)

(a) to (d) The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is not empowered to grant environmental clearance to any industry in the country. However, as per the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006, the Asbestos milling and asbestos based products are covered under schedule 4(c) of the said notification and requires environment clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). Environment Clearance to the proposals involving setting up Asbestos milling and asbestos based products are accorded by MoEF after due process laid down in the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. The MoEF has accorded Environment Clearances to 84 asbestos manufacturing units during 1997 to 2013. The details are given at Annexure-I.

As reported by the CPCB, no violations of environmental norms by these industries have been reported.

(e)&(f) The CPCB has conducted “Human health risk assessment studies in asbestos based industries in India” through Industrial Toxicological Research Centre, Lucknow and published in August,2008. The epidemiological study conducted in the asbestos cement factory indicated that the population which is exposed to asbestos fibres showed a marked increase in deterioration of lung function as compared to the control population, which was not exposed to asbestos fibres. Further, National Institute of Occupational Health has also conducted a study on health hazards/environmental hazards resulting from use of chrysotile variety of asbestos in the country, sponsored by Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.