There is no restriction on use of asbestos in auto components in India.

NEW DELHI: Even as environmental protection agencies across the world are pushing for a complete ban on usage of asbestos in auto parts that put millions of auto technicians, repair mechanics and commuters at risk of contracting fatal diseases, India's environment ministry has claimed to be unaware of the problem in absence of any specific study on the issue.

Though the ministry has general guidelines in place since 2010 for carrying out environmental impact assessment of the asbestos-based industries, it mainly talks about emission limit and ways of disposal of asbestos waste by the user agencies.

While most auto companies adhere to strict guidelines to meet emission norms of their export vehicles, the same variants in India are fitted with asbestos parts. The after-sales auto component market specially brakes, clutches and brake linings are full of asbestos products and their handling and disposal puts technicians and commuters at risk.

"The ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC) has no information on use of asbestos in auto components such as brake, clutches and heat seals“, Bishwanath Sinha, joint secretary in the ministry , told TOI.

Asked why should this practice continue in India , Sinha said, “There are no peer reviewed study reports on the subject commissioned by concerned administrative ministry or its subordinate organisation, in the government of India, based on which a tangible course of action may be taken on merit“.

The joint secretary , therefore, noted that the question of banning usage of asbestos in auto products in India did not arise in absence of such scientific study .

Various studies in the past had highlighted that mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer, is caused due to asbestos exposure and therefore many countries had subsequently taken steps to ban its use.

The US is implementing a new chemical safety act that is meant for tackling everyday carcinogens such as asbestos while the EU outlawed usage of asbestos products. New Zealand too has banned asbestos products.

Incidentally, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in India had spoken about hazards of asbestos use in its report in 2008. Its observation got a mention in the environment ministry’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) guidance manual on asbestos based industries in 2010. But, it does not appear to get a traction beyond controlling emission limits in organised industries.

Asked how does the ministry monitor the use of asbestos in the country, Sinha said, “Implementation of emission limits of asbestos fibres from the stack, notified under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, for industries uses asbestos is carried out by the concerned State Pollution Control Boards”.

The 2010 EIA guidance manual on asbestos based industries, prepared by the Hyderabad-based Administrative Staff College of India, noted that though the asbestos-cement industry (sheets, pipes etc.) is by far the largest user of asbestos fibre worldwide accounting for about 95% of all uses, asbestos is also incorporated into friction materials like brake linings, clutch pads and similar products.

