Why the West encountered problems with Asbestos

During the periods of ignorance of health risks related to asbestos usage due to lack of direct evidence of asbestos-related-diseases (ARDs) and scientific studies and investigations, asbestos was used extensively in the Western countries for insulating large structures, public buildings and homes. Asbestos fibres mixed with adhesives were sprayed in order to provide insulation and fire protection. All this was done without any pollution control systems, resulting in excessive concentrations of airborne asbestos dust. Inhalation in excess quantities of foreign matter could always result in respiratory problems and later worse illnesses.

Apart from uncontrolled dust levels, even the asbestos fibres used during those ignorant periods was a mix of fibres which predominantly were Amphibole types known as Crocidolite (blue asbestos) and Amosites (brown asbestos), which were proven to cause mesothelioma cancer.

The above practices, applications and fibre types have since been discontinued - but in the Western countries, the consequences are still manifesting leading to negative campaigns and litigations.

But, in India those spraying applications for insulation and fire rating were never prevalent.

Moreover, the risky variety of asbestos (blue and brown types) having been banned all over the world, India uses only the Chrysotile variety of asbestos which is allowed to be mined largely in Russia, Canada, China, Kazakhstan, Brazil and Zimbabwe in controlled conditions.

It is worth nothing that in India 95% of chrysotile asbestos is used in asbestos-cement roofing sheet and pipe manufacture. In these products, the asbestos fibres are locked in the cement matrix and cannot get released or airborne. And therefore, there is no risk to public in general.

Even at the ac manufacturing stage, various engineering controls are in place to eliminate any asbestos fibres getting airborne. Many studies by Government Agencies have shown that chrysotile asbestos can be safely used.