ASBESTOSE EXPOSURE AND HEALTH- by Dr. Rajan R Patil

Description
Roro, a chrysotile asbestos mine, just 20 k.m. from the district HQ
Chaibasa (West Singhbhum), in Jharkhand (India ) stands abandoned
since1982. It has become a health scourge for the dozen and odd
villages living at its foothills. A pile of asbestos waste (mine and mill
tailings) the size of a hillock, mixed with chromite has lain atop the hills
of Roro (see cover photo). Through wind, storm water and other
means it spreads, contaminating the land, rice fields, water, bringing
suffering and death to a once self sufficient Ho Adivasi community
-the first people, of this Tribal State. The river Roro flowing from these
hills joins the river Subernarekha downstream.
Twenty years ago, Hyderabad Asbestos Cement Products Ltd. (now
known as Hyderabad Industries Limited) mined asbestos from Roro to
manufacture asbestos cement products. According to former workers
the company abandoned the mines when they became unprofitable. In
their pursuit for profits, they have left behind a poisoned valley and
trail of death.