Asbestos
Asbestos is made up of fine, durable fibers and are
resistance to heat, fire and many chemicals. All forms of asbestos minerals are
odorless and tasteless. We cannot detect it through naked eye if present in
product or material. Because of its resistant property it is widely used in
everyday use from building material to fireproof vests to home and commercial
construction i.e. woven in fabric and mixed with cement.
Asbestos is used widely in various manufacturing industries
in Pakistan despite the adverse health effects associated with. It Around 70%
of the global consumption of asbestos is from Asian countries where it is used
in manufacturing of products for insulation, roofing, building materials, car
brakes, etc.
Pakistan has still not banned asbestos generation and use
while developed countries have. It is believed to be responsible for nearly all
cases of mesothelioma, an intractable cancer of the linings around organs.
Approximately 90% of these deposits of asbestos are in Khyber Pakhtun khuwa
(KPK) province. The labor workers in these mines do not use any precautionary
or protective measures to protect themselves from occupational and
environmental hazard of asbestos. There are large number of milling and
manufacturing units of local and imported asbestos in KPK. These units produce
corrugated sheets, ceiling tiles and other asbestos containing materials. In
Pakistan, between 1995 and 2003, 601 cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed only
in the KPK province.
In light of this, it is important to create awareness among
the labor class and breach them with the general health and safety regulations.
Proper checks should be ensured to see if EPA laws are being implemented
throughout the country. Asbestos is being used in everyday life and this
increases our exposure. They should be replaced with greener, safer
alternatives to benefit us in the long run.
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