• Chrysotile variety of Asbestos is a naturally occuring mineral.
• Chrysotile is also known as White Asbestos.
• Chrysotile (White fibre) used in the manufacture of asbestos cement products under controlled conditions does not pose any health risk.
• Only Chrysotile (white fibre) is used in manufacturing of Asbestos Cement Products in India.
• Use of Chrysotile fibre in manufacturing Asbestos Cement products has definite history of safety.
• Amphibole (Blue and Brown) asbestos fibres are not produced in the world now. And therefore not used in India.
• Health problems in the West in the past were due to different uses which are not relevant to Indian context. (refer to “Uses in Western World not relevant to India” for more details).
• No health problem is reported in the Western world in Asbestos Cement products containing only Chrysotile (White fibre).
• Only 8-9% of Chrysotile fibres are used which are locked in cement matrix in Asbestos Cement Products and cannot escape into environment.
• No excess of Lung Cancer was observed in studies when White Asbestos is used in manufacture of cement products. (Dr.Gardner, Ohlson, H.F.Thomas, WHO, Health & Safety Executive, U.K.).
• No Lung Cancer observed in Asbestos Cement plants studies in India.
• Thousands of asbestos fibres, invisible, are inhaled by us every day from natural resources, without any harm.
• Fibre levels under asbestos cement roofs are of the same order in general environment and is never a problem.
• Ingestion of Asbestos fibres poses no health problems – World Health Organization.
• Asbestos Cement Products are more strong, durable, economical, energy conserving and Eco-friendly.
• Chrysotile Asbestos Cement products are NOT banned in USA, Canada and many other developed nations.
• The US Court of Appeals rejected a proposed ban on scientific grounds.
• India accounts for only 16-18% of Chrysotile Asbestos World consumption. The rest of it is used in over 160 countriesn.