In a significant move towards ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment for India’s future generations, Union Minister for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, has launched a nationwide initiative titled “Asbestos-Free Schools: A National Priority.” The initiative, which bans the use of asbestos in all new and renovated central government educational institutions, has been welcomed by the ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA) and supported by the Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI).
TWA had written to the Minister on April 4, urging the central government to eliminate asbestos exposure in schools, especially in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs). The initiative now calls for a broader commitment from state governments and private educational institutions to adopt similar policies.
With more than 120,000 global deaths annually due to asbestos exposure, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), India’s share—given its high consumption rate—translates to an estimated 18,000 deaths per year. Experts warn that asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis have long latency periods, sometimes taking 10–35 years to manifest after exposure. This means that even if asbestos use stops today, the health consequences will continue for decades.
TWA and BANI have urged the government to conduct a comprehensive audit of asbestos usage in all educational buildings across the country and create a national register of asbestos-exposed buildings and victims. They have emphasized the need for decontamination plans, safer construction alternatives, training of medical professionals to recognize asbestos-related illnesses, and a compensation fund for affected individuals. There is also a call to revise the Environmental Studies syllabus to include lessons from over 70 countries that have banned asbestos.
Legal actions across the globe underscore the urgency of banning asbestos. Courts in Japan, Brazil, and India have recognized the dangers of chrysotile asbestos and held corporations and governments accountable. Notably, the Calcutta High Court in 2017 ordered the removal of asbestos roofing from its own premises citing carcinogenic risks, while the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights declared asbestos roofing unsuitable for any building where children study. In a similar vein, the National Human Rights Commission of India has recommended replacing asbestos roofs with safer materials to prevent hazardous exposure.
Despite the ban on asbestos mining in India, the import of white chrysotile asbestos continues from countries like Russia, Kazakhstan, and Zimbabwe, undermining public health. BANI has called for the government to resist pressure from international asbestos lobbies and instead adopt WHO guidelines for eliminating asbestos-related diseases. The World Bank’s guidelines also clearly prohibit the use of asbestos in new construction, highlighting the global consensus on its dangers.
Dr. G. Krishna, Advocate and Editor of Ban-Asbestos-India, reiterated the campaign’s call: “India cannot ignore the undeniable evidence. Asbestos is a ticking time bomb. We need decisive action—ban its use, hold companies accountable, compensate the victims, and protect our children.”
As the Asbestos-Free Schools initiative gains national attention, civil society, health professionals, and educationists are uniting in urging the government to expand the ban, audit existing infrastructure, and commit to a future free from the carcinogenic threat of asbestos.
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