There is no doubt whatsoever about asbestos being hazardous materials. Tons of research, analysis, survey, court judgments and studies are available on net. One does not need to be rocket scientist to make out the problems. Just cut the sheet, inhale the dust and have your lung checked for the residue after a year.
Now, if there are regulatory norms and the usage is banned legally, one can not do anything about it even though he/she does not agree with the reasons supplied.

Choosing investments on based on morals in extremely individualistic.

Making timely short term profits on such industry is also individualistic on moral grounds and ability to understand the movements of stock.

But taking a long term value call in my opinion has to offer higher risk to reward ratio.

P.S. People were living in affordable housing before the introduction of asbestos roof sheets and other products and they will in future with cheap, more durable and less hazardous alternatives.

these companies have macro economic environment on their side and it is very annoying to see a bad Q2 for Visaka, Hyderabad ind and Everest

Originally posted by sainivas Originally posted by karn There is no doubt whatsoever about asbestos being hazardous materials. Tons of research, analysis, survey, court judgments and studies are available on net. One does not need to be rocket scientist to make out the problems. Just cut the sheet, inhale the dust and have your lung checked for the residue after a year. Now, if there are regulatory norms and the usage is banned legally, one can not do anything about it even though he/she does not agree with the reasons supplied. Choosing investments on based on morals in extremely individualistic. Making timely short term profits on such industry is also individualistic on moral grounds and ability to understand the movements of stock. But taking a long term value call in my opinion has to offer higher risk to reward ratio. P.S. People were living in affordable housing before the introduction of asbestos roof sheets and other products and they will in future with cheap, more durable and less hazardous alternatives. Karn I agree with you..As with tobacco, you will find some studies that show that Asbestos Cement Sheets are safe. Even the EPA (US) has okayed its use. However in India, unlike in the US, there is large scale cutting of the sheets which release asbestos. Further, during storage and transport when the sheets rub against each other, there is release of asbestos. Near a storage yard in India, with constant movement of sheets in and out of trucks, children have been found to have severe lung and underdevelopment problems.

Dear Mr. Sainivas,

From what you have written about cement sheets, it implies that people who are actually working in those manufacturing companies are on a daily basis exposed to this harmful asbestos and so logically and scientifically, they should have health problems. Right?

Well, the reality seems to be totally different. I wud recommend that you visit at least one good cement sheet manufacturing co and do your own due diligence. Well i m not holding any cement sheet co shares. But just thot of sharing my view.

Best wishes,

JM

Most good AC Sheet manufacturing faciliites in India have totally isolated mixing of asbestos. ie the asbestos line is fully secured and the mixing etc is done automatically.

The key problems are in the field.

Asbestos is released while cutting sheets in the field.