Malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are a global scourge, but Indian health experts warn that their country is facing a uniquely deadly future, with millions of people at risk.
Asbestos Ban in India Does Nothing to Stop Mesothelioma Risk
Asbestos is a known toxin that’s been blamed for countless deaths from mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer, and even more cases of chronic, debilitating diseases like asbestosis and COPD. The World Health Organization classified asbestos as a carcinogen years ago, and it has been banned in 69 countries. India banned the material’s mining in 1993, but it continues to import 44% of the world’s asbestos, largely from Russia and Brazil.
The fallout from the enormous amount of asbestos that continues to be brought into India has health experts warning of a “ticking timebomb” of mesothelioma. Mumbai’s Tata Institute of Social Sciences has warned that in the next several years there could be as many as 6 million people diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.
Asbestos Exposure in India is Nearly Inescapable
According to Gopal Krishna, an occupational health researcher and founder of the Ban Asbestos Network of India, the growing risk of mesothelioma and other diseases faced by India’s population is nearly inescapable. “There’s almost no home or car in India that isn’t being built with asbestos as an ingredient. We are all exposed to it.” The situation is exacerbated by the fact that physicians lack the training to identify asbestos-related illnesses, as well as by the country’s overall lack of public health infrastructure.
For those affected by asbestos, India has passed occupational hazards laws that recognize asbestosis and make victims eligible for compensation, but as is true in the United States, the mesothelioma’s long latency period makes it difficult to link exposure to diagnosis. Further complicating the issue is the country’s slow legal system, which currently has a backlog of 40 million lawsuits. While some British companies have set up compensation trusts for those who worked in their asbestos-contaminated factories, they are the exception rather than the rule.
If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
