The cancer causing potential of more than 900 carcinogens has been identified by WHO but environmental health experts who had gathered at Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health at Maulana Azad Medical College emphasised that modern homes and the work place contain several toxic elements an exposure to which can be dangerous.
Dr Linda Birnbaum, director to the US National Institute of Environmental Health, which has specialised in research on the environment-related diseases, warned against multiple exposures to chemicals found in homes and in the work environment.
“We are developing methods and technologies to detect and reduce the amount of toxicity of hazardous substances and to evaluate the risks and effects of human health,” said Dr Birnbaum whose institute is studying several chemicals causing toxicity.
US-based Dr Carol Rice, an industrial hygienist who is on the board of the Scientific Council of National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health warned that 25 years in this field had taught her that “the respiratory system is the root of entry for many work place diseases. The toxic agents enter directly into a part of the respiratory tract and are then move into other regions of the body including the liver.”
Dr Barry Castleman, author of “Medical and Legal Aspects of Asbestors” warned that China and India remained the biggest consumers of asbestos even though the WHO 2012 report had warned that there were a wide variety of safer substitutes for asbestos building products.
Dr Castleman said, “A terrible tragedy is unfolding in India due to the frightening rate at which asbestos continues to be used in the construction industry. Why should India’s ministry of urban development promote asbestos use in the housing industry when alternatives were available?”