NGT refuses to immediately stop the use of asbestos sheets in schools, orders Centre and CPCB to prepare NTR

News Topical, Digital Desk : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has refused to ban the use of asbestos cement sheets in schools across the country. The NGT noted that despite its order, no specific study has been conducted regarding the adverse health effects of using asbestos cement sheets in school buildings.

However, the Ministry of Environment and Forests has filed an affidavit stating that asbestos in buildings does not release fibres on its own, but admitted that asbestos fibres can enter the air, water and soil due to weathering.

The NGT said that in the absence of any positive specific scientific evidence/material, it would not be appropriate to direct immediate ban on the use of asbestos cement sheets in schools across India.

NGT cited the Supreme Court's decision

The NGT cited the Supreme Court's 2011 decision in Kalyaneshwari vs. Union of India, in which the apex court dismissed a petition seeking a ban on the use of asbestos. In light of the above, a bench comprising NGT Judicial Member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Environment Member Dr. Afroz Ahmed ordered the central government and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to review the existing scientific evidence and prepare an Action Taken Report (ATR) within six months.

The NGT directed the central government and the CPCB to send a guideline and standard operating procedure (SOP) based on the policy decision made in the ATR to the chief secretaries of all union territories and states, including Delhi. The NGT's order provides significant relief to the Fiber Cement Products Manufacturers Association (FCPMA), established in 1981.

It is worth noting that the FCPMA contributes ₹10,000 crore to the country's revenue. It provides livelihoods to over 300,000 people in the country.

These important instructions were given

• Smoking, eating and drinking should be prohibited in areas where there is a possibility of exposure to asbestos.
• Dry sweeping, shoveling, or other dry cleaning of asbestos-containing dust and debris should be avoided.
• Safety protocols should be strictly followed for installation and maintenance of asbestos-containing roofing and boundary sheets to minimise environmental and health risks.
• Landfill sites are currently the most common disposal method, but it is important that these are specifically designed for asbestos waste, to prevent it from coming into contact with other waste.

This is the matter

Dr Raja Singh, a resident of Amar Colony, who filed a petition seeking a ban on the use of asbestos sheets, said that asbestos sheets are often used in school buildings in rural areas.

Over time, asbestos sheets become brittle and release asbestos fibers, which can spread into the school's indoor air. These can be inhaled into children's lungs. This can lead to lung disease, which can be fatal.

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