Notification and Recordkeeping of Occupational Mesothelioma in India

This paper studies the number of occupational mesothelioma cases that have been reported as per law to the factories and mines regulators in India. Zero cases of mesothelioma, which is a notified/notifiable disease under the Mines Act 1952, and notified/notifiable under the broad category of occupational cancers under the Factories Act 1948, have been notified between 2004 and 2024 (with the factory data compiled only for 8 years). This highlights many issues, including the lack of recordkeeping of occupational diseases when there are cases of mesothelioma being reported by hospitals under the National Cancer Registry Program and many being reported in the scientific literature from India. Though the lack of data may not mean the lack of disease, these cases of mesothelioma may either point to a non-occupational exposure to asbestos as an aetiology for such cases or indicate the need for fixing the recordkeeping and notification of cancers, including mesothelioma, as many occupational cases are reported in the scientific literature. This is especially true as India is one of the largest users and processors of imported asbestos, a user of talcum powder, and has other potential sources of exposure. With mesothelioma being a surrogate for asbestos exposure, this public health hazard needs focussed implementation of regulated safeguards both occupationally and through non-occupational exposures.