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Asbestos poisoning prevalent among Indian breakers

Asbestos poisoning prevalent among Indian breakers

New Delhi: Almost one in every six workers dismantling old ships at India's Alang shipyard suffers from asbestos poisoning, according to a report commissioned by the Supreme Court. Experts also found a fatal accident rate six times that of the country's notoriously unsafe mining industry. "In ships brought for breaking, free asbestos is usually present as thermal insulation of boilers and floor tiles. When this asbestos is removed, its particles become airborne and attack the lungs," the report said.  [06/09/06]