In India the asbestos industry is growing and employs more than 15,000 people in 75 units which are spread over several states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh etc. Surprisingly, advanced countries are banning cancer causing asbestos products, but multinational companies are from those countries which are setting up units in developing countries like India. One reason is lack of awareness in the society and indifference of the government machinery of these countries. Prolonged exposure to asbestos dust and fibres can cause lung cancer but most workers in India are too afraid to protest for fear of losing jobs. Some of these factories are operating in Mumbai. Quite a few factories in India are not known to take adequate precautions to protect workers from asbestos dust.

The government is taking several steps to provide medical inspection of workers. In fact it has amended factories act to extend the provision to even those factories employing less than 10 workers.

The advanced countries are concerned and careful to protect health hazards of their people.