Facts on bans, use and global deaths are established.
Why we say that›
Asbestos remains legal and widely used in India with no federal ban.
Supported claims establish real differences in regulation and ongoing domestic use. The unsupported step is the motive attribution to the Indian government via an unverified ministry statement.
No record of any Indian Environment Ministry statement calling asbestos roofs safe based on a Sri Lankan study.
Reported 15 Aug 2026
Claims
3 true · 5 unchecked
- Couldn't check
Asbestos is a cancer-causing powder that is banned in many countries but is freely allowed in India.
What's actually true
Banned in at least 72 countries and freely used across India with no federal ban.
- True
Asbestos is openly used in India in everyday construction activities with the government's approval.
What's actually true
Widely used in homes, vehicles and irons with no federal ban and government support.
- True
Asbestos causes two lakh deaths globally every year.
What's actually true
WHO estimates more than 200000 deaths from work exposure based on 2016 figures.
- Couldn't check
The Indian government allows free use of asbestos.
What's actually true
No federal ban and India remains the largest importer with ongoing use.
- Couldn't check
Asbestos is not even an issue of discussion in India and is not banned.
What's actually true
No federal legislation banning use or import as of 2025.
- True
Exposure to asbestos at work causes more than 200,000 deaths globally every year (based on estimates for 2016). This represents over 70% of deaths from work-related cancers.
- Couldn't check
A cancer-causing material that’s banned in 70+ countries and that kills 2 lakh+ people annually is still freely used across India - in our roofs, cars, and even some everyday appliances - with the government’s approval.
What's actually true
Banned in 72 countries, 200000 deaths per WHO, used in Indian homes vehicles and irons with no ban.
- Couldn't check
The Indian Environment Ministry has said asbestos is ‘safe’, based on a foreign study that wasn’t even accepted in its home country.
What's actually true
Environment ministry panel said asbestos roofs are safe citing Sri Lankan study. Sri Lanka later deferred its own ban.
The full story, from the sources›
exposure to asbestos at work causes more than 200 000 deaths globally every year (based on estimates for 2016). This represents over 70% of deaths from work-related cancers. - who.int (underlying joint estimates cited by WHO for 200k+ deaths / 70% figure). - who.int (2021-09-17) asbestos in clutch linings, brake pads, irons/appliances, roofing sheets documented as common historical and some ongoing uses globally. - asbestos.com (2013-04-10) Occupational asbestos exposure was responsible for 209,481 deaths in 2016. This equates to more than 70% of all work-related cancer fatalities. - asbestos.com (2018-12-04) In the late 1970s, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned the use of asbestos in wallboard patching compounds and gas fireplaces... In 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned all new uses of asbestos; however, uses developed before 1989 are still allowed. - cancer.gov (2021-05-20)
From primary sources · reporting
How it's framed (2)›
Sources (11)›
Asbestos, once widely used in construction, is now banned in at least 72 countries. ... India is the largest importer of asbestos in the world – nearly 5 lakh tonnes in 2023
NGT (Oct 2025) reviewed MoEFCC expert committee report (Feb 2025 timeframe in related filings); committee found "no data or evidence linking asbestos-cement roofing to health hazards in non-industrial settings; directed MoEFCC to review evidence/global practices (no blanket ban ordered)
exposure to asbestos at work causes more than 200 000 deaths globally every year (based on estimates for 2016). This represents over 70% of deaths from work-related cancers.
(underlying joint estimates cited by WHO for 200k+ deaths / 70% figure)
Many countries have banned the use of asbestos due to its health risks.
As of 2025, India continues to import over 300,000 metric tonnes of chrysotile asbestos annually, with no federal legislation introducing a complete ban on use or importation.
In the late 1970s, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned the use of asbestos in wallboard patching compounds and gas fireplaces... In 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned all new uses of asbestos; however, uses developed before 1989 are still allowed.
As at September 2025, 72 countries have imposed national bans on chrysotile asbestos mining, importation, production and use across the world.
lists dozens of countries with national bans (e.g., Australia, Brazil, Canada, EU states, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, etc.; India not listed)
Occupational asbestos exposure was responsible for 209,481 deaths in 2016. This equates to more than 70% of all work-related cancer fatalities.
asbestos in clutch linings, brake pads, irons/appliances, roofing sheets documented as common historical and some ongoing uses globally
Notes on this check (6)›
- Dropped 3 support citation(s) for "Asbestos is a cancer-causing powder that is banned in man…" because the cited passages do not address the claim directly.
- Dropped 1 support citation(s) for "Asbestos is openly used in India in everyday construction…" because the cited passages do not address the claim directly.
- Dropped 2 support citation(s) for "The Indian government allows free use of asbestos." because the cited passages do not address the claim directly.
- Dropped 1 support citation(s) for "Asbestos is not even an issue of discussion in India and …" because the cited passages do not address the claim directly.
- Dropped 3 support citation(s) for "A cancer-causing material that’s banned in 70+ countries …" because the cited passages do not address the claim directly.
- Dropped 1 support citation(s) for "The Indian Environment Ministry has said asbestos is ‘saf…" because the cited passages do not address the claim directly.
Checked against 3 sources · 15 Aug 2026
Help us improve
Was this analysis useful?
One tap helps us find what Blindspot should improve next.