In January 2006, when ‘Clemenceau', French Aircraft Carrier was to arrive in India for dismantling at Alang port in Gujarat, Greenpeace took the issue that since the ship contains undisclosed quantities of Asbestos, it should not be allowed to come to India for dismantling.

This issue got wide coverage in the print and electronic media. The Ban Asbestos Network India (BANI), took advantage of the ongoing controversy whether the ship should be allowed to come for dismantling in India . To rake up the issue of import of Asbestos in the country, Ban Asbestos activists appeared on TV panel discussions and wrote articles in prominent National dailies to mislead the public and the policy makers quoting from the Western experience where the use of mixed fibres - Crocidolite (Blue) and Amosite (Brown) had caused lung related problems.

They did not draw the distinction in fibre types, processes and associated health risks associated with different types of fibres.

Clemenceau possibly contained high quantities of Crocidolite (Blue) and Amosite (Brown) Asbestos fibres, both of which are linked to lung diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. Dismantling of such warships may lead to the release of asbestos fibre dust into the air in huge quantities of around 70 fibres/cc which can pose serious health risks if proper environmental protection devices are not provided.

This bears no relation with the use of Chrysotile (White) Asbestos in the manufacturing of asbestos-cement products by the Indian Industry. Here it is used under controlled conditions (dust levels in the Industry are around 0.1 f/cc) and is therefore, completely safe.