Asbestos problem in India.
Primary exposure to asbestos in India can be encountered in the form of asbestos mining, asbestos cement industries, asbestos processing unit and during renovation and demolition of old asbestos cemented roof or other structures as well as modern electrical as well as mechanical appliances in which asbestos is still found. Ultimately construction workers, electricians, vehicle mechanics and other workers in the building trades who are exposed to asbestos inhale hundreds and thousands of amphiboles, which causes lung damage. It is being mined in India at places such as Andhra Pradesh (Pulivendla), Jharkand (Roro), Rajasthan (Ajmer, Bhilwara, Udaipur, Rajsamand) and the common problem faced by the locals are asbestosis through air and fluorosis through drinking water. The problem continues to be in India as well as other developing countries. Also, India import and re-export asbestos to other countries and workers at shipyard, transport of the hazardous material on road and roadside residents all are vulnerable to this uncommon disease. The signs and symptoms generally found with the workers are shortness of breath, persistent and productive cough due to pulmonary fibrosis can show up many years after the asbestos exposure.
Subramanian
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School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110 067, India. subra@mail.jnu.ac.in
Madhavan
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D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male
D001194:Asbestos