Environmental and health activists who have given a bad name to asbestos are facing the wrath of an industry that pleads that this is the best option for our country--------- FACT: In June 2001. the Supreme Court in Brazil rejected a petition by some activists for ban of asbestos-cement production. Brazil is one of the largest producers and users of asbestos. FACT: After considering a strong case by the powerful Environment Protection Agency (EPA), the United States Court of Appeals has, in 1991. rejected an appeal for phasing out asbestos-based cement and other asbestos-based products, for lack of evidence to warrant such a prohibition. The US still imports AC water pipes. FACT: On 18 May 2001. Cana. minister of transport said,. 'This material is not dangerous." The The general impression that asbestos is somehow hazardous to health seems to be a myth deliberately hyped up by companies producing roofing products like metal, aluminum, GCI and PVC sheets. Perhaps because asbestos-cement sheets are so cost-effective that their very presence in the market acts as a dampener on sale and price of other substitutes. The Delhi-based Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association (ACPMA) is determined to turn public opinion in its favour, or at least in favour of chrysolite (white) asbestos which is the variant non-hazardous to health. The bad name which the mineral asbestos acquired in the 1950s and 1960s was due to the use of blue (crocodilite) and brown (amosite) variety which when made in uncontrolled conditions led to dust flying and choking the lungs of workers. Even this product was not unsafe for the end-user unless the ingredients were not firmly locked in. The annual turnover of the while asbestos industry in India is Rs 4,000 crore. Canada, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, Russia and China are major exporters, India importing 3.5 lakh tonnes of the material annually. After reinforced concrete cement, it is the best roofing option for the poor, farmers, their workshops, cattlesheds etc. This is why, says ACPMA, it is a target of the rich and powerful steel sheeting industry. What do experts say about asbestos? The World Health Organisation has approved the use of asbestos-cement pipes for drinking water. In 2002, western-funded NGOs approached the ministry of environment and forests for a ban on use of the product. A committee was formed to look into the issue, which found no reasonfor such a ban. In fact, the ministry has given clearance to new units to manufacture chrysolite asbestos -cement sheets. The Bureau of Indian Standards is looking at tightening safety requirements. One point indisputably in favour of asbestos is that competitive products like steel and aluminum sheets deplete dwindling natural resources and use 36 times more energy. Asbestos, on the other hand, is an abundantly available natural resource. Yet powerful environmental lobbies have been lobbying vigorously against asbestos -perhaps at the behest of Big Business interests (see box). ?