| Document ID (ISN) | 100353 |
| CIS number |
02-1361 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
0019-8366 - Industrial Health |
| Year |
2001 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Ramanathan A.L., Subramanian V. |
| Title |
Present status of asbestos mining and related health problems in India - A survey |
| Bibliographic information |
Oct. 2001, Vol.39, No.4, p.309-315. Illus. 23 ref. |
| Abstract |
At present in India more than thirty asbestos mines are in operation, producing 2800 tons of asbestos per month (mainly chrysotile and tremolite). In addition, a substantial quantity (approx. 70% of industrial consumption) is imported from Canada. The mining and milling and other related processes expose workers to cancer and related diseases. Women are more affected by their exposure in processing units compared to men who generally work in mines. Direct and indirect employment in asbestos mining and industrial processing is around 100,000 workers. The latency period (length of the time between exposure and the onset of diseases) in India is estimated to be 20-37 years. The causes for lung and breathing problems are mainly reliance on obsolete technology and direct contact with asbestos products without proper precautions, because in India asbestos is sold without statutory warning. This paper reviews health effects (such as fibrosis, sequelae, bronchogenic cancer, and malignant mesothelioma) on the Indian workers from asbestos-related activities. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
India; occupational diseases; asbestos mining; health hazards; asbestos |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
mesothelioma; responsibilities of employers; chrysotile; tremolite; sequelae; asbestosis; information of personnel; exposure evaluation; personal protective equipment; women; asbestos cement industry; chest radiography; fibrosis |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Country / State or Province | India |
| Subject(s) |
Mines and quarries
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Chemical safety
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Asbestos
Mining and quarrying
|
