I came across an article the other day. It was regarding a protest in Bihar in a village in the district called Muzaffarpur, where an asbestos factory is being constructed. I can see what you are asking, protests and so on does not seem an out of the ordinary headline. What kindred me you may ask? The answer is; the group of people leading the protest. It is not a group of environmentalists, research organizations, nor the heads of the village. It’s a group of students, not just any students’ school students!
Well, before I can get to what I wish to convey, let me tell you the basics written in that article. When this factory was first being built, villagers were happy as they were in need of a new source of income, the company itself said that it will provide up to 500 jobs. The school children had contrasting moods to that of the others.
This was because they had read in their biology books that asbestos is harmful to health, hence they strongly protested the construction of this factory in their beloved village. Armed with their text book they were determined to educate their parents and relatives on the potential harm this economical life-line may pose. And so they did, one family member at a time they educated them on what they had been taught in a government school. They had won over their village, and they continued their protest, to a point that the construction of this factory is now at a temporary standstill.
Some claim that their concerns are misplaced, that they are ill informed about asbestos, and ‘so called’ white as asbestos is not harmful and when handled properly it poses no risk. Further arguments are that many such factories exist in densely populated areas and no such health problems have risen. For these kids, they believe naught what is uttered from many in authority, they hold firm to their greatest weapon their government endorsed biology textbook.
I am a firm believer, that wisdom and knowledge is only worth when implemented and shared. Of no use is a man who has acquired bounds of knowledge and lets in rot in his mind, even the learned need not be revered when their assets are of no use to anyone other than themselves. These kids to me are not a breath of fresh air but a spark of fire. Their determination to educate and implement is something I feel I could use an ounce of now and then. Their sheer faith in what they have learned is what is astounding.
I recall the time I learnt about asbestos, while class was going on my friend whispered to me. You know our class ceiling is made of asbestos. It freaked the crap out of me! I can remember rolling my eyes to the ceiling and staring at my potential nemesis. Weather she was telling the truth or trying to get the best of me, I had no clue. After that incident, all I remember about asbestos was nodding my head every time someone said it could lead to cancer.
Since I am talking about the great ASBESTOS! I thought it was only right that I do some research on it. So this is what I have found. Asbestos is a cheap raw material that is has various uses especially in construction such as floors and ceilings. The only form used today is white asbestos which WHO has said it also has links to mesothelioma, lung and other cancers. Even second hand exposure has known to kill. However there are arguments that such evidence is not enough to remove such valuable material off the market. Many developed countries like EU and Australia banned it. Somehow they seem to think the evidence is enough. There are ways to use it safely but the US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health says exposure in maximum levels can cause 5 lung cancers and 2 asbestosis cases in 1000 workers. They key word ‘maximum levels’. There are other means of protection like masks etc. Most of these conditions take decades to show but with conditions like mesothelioma people have poor surviving chance of five years.
Information obtained from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-10623733.
Asbestos is it a yes or a no?
Well if you are asking me do I think that the world should be rid of asbestos because it leads to cancer? The ideal answer I would give being a medical student is hell yeah! Then again we should ban canned food, chalk and white board markers and so on. The unfortunate reality in all this is that we need all these things. Although they pose so many health risks sometimes we are left with no choice, or we choose not to choose otherwise. We reduce our exposure but not cut it entirely, that my friends is the harsh reality. The similar fate for things like the use of high heels leading to osteoporosis, doesn’t stop the boom in the industry or decrease the demand for the product, we comfort ourselves by saying that we only wear it once in awhile. Ayam bakar is alright, I don’t eat it often the charcoal won’t kill me.
Here is the thing, considering all the health risk asbestos poses and its ban in the EU and Australia it simply shows that there are alternatives when it comes to use. Nevertheless probably more expensive alternatives, alternatives might alleviate the use of this mineral in countries that can afford it. As we cannot ignore the economical significance of this industry not only to factory workers and miners but the many that live in affordable housing that consist of asbestos. Can we as yet afford to rebuild houses for the poor without the help of affordable asbestos?
What about the countries that manufacture it and have thousands of lives depending on this industry? To elicit a ban will be like pulling out the rug from under them, shattering the slightest financial security they have. So what do we do, allow them to expose themselves everyday and ask them to pray they are not one of the 7 in the 1000? A clash of ideals and reality, ideally no man should work under such risk but the reality is even you might if that was the only way to put food on the table. A fellow friend of mine mentioned that if governments have any intention to ban asbestos they certainly can by slowly eliminating it over time. But until they come to their senses what can we do?
If you ask a man is he willing to risk his life for his family, he might say yes; you ask him will he risk the life of his family…he is likely to say I’ll find another job. That is where kids like these come in play. Not just confining their knowledge to getting A’s in exams, they are implementing what they have learned by educating those that haven’t. They have managed to make their parents say no to a steady income stressing importance on their health. Kudos to them, it is passionate youngsters like these that will deter us from bringing a grim fate upon ourselves. And kudos to the villagers for actually listening to the youngsters! Of course yes, teachers awesome job, you did what seems impossible nowadays, you made your kids love what they learn enough to advocate it.
Coming back to the kids, should they build an asbestos factory in the village, my answer is no. If health risks like microscopic asbestos dust can cause cancer, I would not want it anywhere near my town. Factories should be built away from townships; companies can provide transport for their workers in forms of buses. Preferably no one should work in such a place and risk their life, you may say it’s 7 in a thousand, but what if the seven was your father or mother?
All we can hope for the time being is that every single safety measure possible should be taken and made sure are being implemented. Necessary equipment like masks and so on should be provided by the company. Good maintenance and regular inspection of working conditions must be mandatory. Well regulated working hours should be implemented to avoid maximum exposure. Health benefits especially regular health screenings should be provided by the company itself for their workers. In my point of view if they aren’t going to do anything to abolish the industry at least let medical practitioners catch it early and do what they can to treat it before it gets worse.
All measures must be taken to ensure the welfare of those who work for them; a blind eye should never be cast on their plights. Failing to do so, one should not be allowed to mine or manufacture anything regarding asbestos. Harsh terms, but the harsh reality is its human lives!
I know it might sound like I have succumbed to the inevitable, but I am just stating what I see might help for the time being Hopefully safer options may present itself soon. For now my wishes and prayers are with the feisty youngster of Muzaffarpur. Whatever the outcome may be…Good luck!
