NGT stops short of banning asbestos roofs in schools

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on 6th Nov. declined to impose a nationwide ban on asbestos cement roofing sheets used in schools but ordered strict safety measures, worker protection, and a phase-out review, citing health and environmental concerns.

The order was passed by the bench of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Dr Afroz Ahmad in a case filed by Dr. Raja Singh, a visiting faculty member at the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi. He had sought directions to prohibit the use of asbestos roofs in schools, arguing that the material deteriorates over time, releasing fibres that can cause lung diseases such as cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

Dr Singh referred to a 2022 study in Nature Scientific Reports, which found that activity inside asbestos-roofed buildings increases dust pollution, urging precaution for children exposed to such spaces. He also cited the World Health Organization’s (WHO) position that all forms of asbestos are carcinogenic.

In the case Dr. Raja Singh v. Union of India & Others, a multidisciplinary Expert Committee formed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) found no data indicating that asbestos-cement sheets pose health hazards in non-industrial settings. The committee noted that asbestos fibers are bound within the cement matrix, making the material stable and non-friable, and that exposure levels remain well below international safety limits.

The NGT emphasized regulation based on scientific evidence rather than a blanket ban, stressing that adherence to BIS standards ensures safety and environmental protection. It warned that unscientific bans could hinder affordable housing and infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.

The Tribunal directed MoEF&CC to review global best practices within six months and issue detailed guidelines for the manufacture, use, and disposal of asbestos-containing materials.

The industry has welcomed the decision as an affirmation of responsible manufacturing, science-based regulation, and the continued safe use of asbestos-cement roofing in India’s affordable and sustainable construction sector.