WHAT HAS THE FRENCH SHIP CLEMENCEAU GOT TO DO WITH ASBESTOS CEMENT PRODUCTS ? NOTHING. The recent asbestos scare created in the public mind due to the ongoing controversy of the dismantling of the French aircraft carrier ‘Clemenceau’ at the Alang port in Gujarat is in no way connected to the use of chrysotile fibre imported in the country. Clemenceau possibly containg high quantities of crocidolite (blue asbestos) and amosite (brown asbestos), both of which are linked to lung diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. Dismantling such warships may lead to the release-of asbestos fibre dust into the air in huge quantities, which can pose serious health risks if proper environmental protection devicas 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 and is therefore completely safe. TH ABOUT ASBESTOS CEMENT PRi Asbestos causes fatal diseases. Of the three types of asbestos, blue and brown are the most harmful. White asbestos (chrysotile) when used under controlled conditions does not pose any risk to health. Countries the world over have banned | Use of chrysotile is NOT banned in 145 countries Including the asbestos. US, where it's being extensively used in their manned space programme. in fact, only a few countries have banned asbestos, namely EU, Japan and Australia, Asbestos cement products contain | In India, chrysotile is used under controlled conditions and in asbestos and are therefore harmful. accordance with stringent parameters prescribed by the Government which makes asbestos cement products completely safe. Also, in the manufacturing process, chrysotile fibres are locked in a cement matrix which prevents them fram escaping in tothe air. Inhalation of even one asbestos fibre is | Asbestos occurs in natura and a lot of asbestos fibres are harmful. inhaled by us everyday. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW : © Blue asbestos is banned in India since 1993, © Studies undertaken by the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Environment and Forests declared that controlied use of chrysotile does not pose any risk to workers, general public or environment. © India's organised sector manufactures asbestos cement products using chrysotile as per the safe practices published by the ILO, incorporated in the BIS Standards and guidelines published by other Govt. regulatory bodies. © Asbestos cement products contain only 8-9% of chrysotile asbestos, the rest being fly ash, cement and wood pulp, © The world over, asbestos cement products are used for making pipes and roofs as they are stronger, more durable, economical and environment friendly. Issued in public intorest by ‘THE ASBESTOS CEMENT PRODUCTS MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION (501, LAXMI BHAVAN, 72, NEHRU PLACE, NEW DELHI -110 019. —— FOR MORE DETAILS ON ASBESTOS CEMENT PRODUCTS CALL (011) 26432831, 26422823. OR EMAIL aopma@satyam net i "MADISON CREAT VEGA ODI