Relevance of Environmental Health Impact Assessment in Mining and Processing of Asbestos Minerals

Asbestos possesses excellent physical and chemical properties, viz., tensile strength, flexibility, resistance to heat and abrasion. Due to its excellent properties, it is used in the manufacture of asbestos-cement products, such as roofing sheets, boards and pipes as well as in products used for wear-resistant friction materials, fire proofing, heat insulation, etc. Chrysotile and amphibolite varieties of asbestos are found in many geological formations. Commercially exploitable deposits of chrysotile are located in Cuddapah district of Andhra Pradesh and Chaibasa district of Bihar. Mining is by underground methods. Thematic layers are extracted using remote sensing satellite imageries. Air samples were collected in ambient and workplace environment. However, fiber concentrations of asbestos are exceeding the national standards, leading to land degradation and water ccontamination at many places. This paper urges that social issues like health and safety of the population need to be addressed properly, and contends that the health impacts of mining and processing can be mitigated through proper planning and management