Report References to occupational exposures Challenges faced by workers (hair, blood, urine) of workers and other persons analysed. Maximum levels were registered among workers employed in the mercury plant. High concentrations of mercury were also observed in children’s blood and in the milk of nursing mothers. Although no comprehensive study was then carried out to assess the extent of mercury contamination, elevated mercury concentration, often exceeding maximum allowable concentration norms, have been recorded in air and water resources in areas surrounding large enterprises that are currently producing or had produced mercury in the Batken and Osh oblasts. Information on chemical products sold in the country should be available, accessible, userfriendly, adequate and appropriate to the needs of all stakeholders. People handling hazardous chemicals, such as farmers and employees in the chemical or energy sector, should receive appropriate information and training on such chemicals and their intrinsic properties, and on how to use them in ways that minimize adverse health consequences. “Mission to India” (A/HRC/15/22/Add.3) (2010) The purpose of the visit was to examine the progress made, and the difficulties encountered, by the country in implementing its obligations under human rights and environmental law to ensure the sound management and disposal of hazardous products and wastes. In particular, the aim of the mission was to gather first-hand information on the adverse effects that hazardous activities, such as shipbreaking and the recycling of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste), have on the enjoyment of human rights of the countless individuals working in these sectors or living close to the places where these activities take place. Despite some progress noted, the former Special Rapporteur identified a number of key challenges. National legislation on waste management and health and safety at work was not effectively implemented, and the current institutional framework appeared inadequate to respond to the challenges posed to worker and others by the generation, management, handling, transport and disposal of toxic and dangerous products and wastes. The health and safety situation prevailing at the shipbreaking yards continued to remain critical, especially in Mumbai, where the working conditions and the quality of facilities remain highly inadequate for guaranteeing health and safety at work and an adequate standard of living for those employed in the shipbreaking sector. 29 At the time of the former Special Rapporteur’s visit, the 128 yards that were operational provided employment to about 30,000 workers. In addition, over 500,000 workers were employed in associated downstream industries, such as re-rolling mills, foundries, scrap-handling yards, local Inadequate standards of protection • Monitoring and enforcement gaps • Opaque supply chains and the transfer of hazardous work • Exploitation of those most at risk • Failures to realize the right to information • Limited progress in prevention of exposure • Informal economy • Restrained freedom of association • Inaccessible remedies, justice A/HRC/39/48 Shipbreaking was noted to be of grave concern, noting that during the dismantling process, workers are exposed to a wide range of hazardous workplace activities, such as entry into confined, enclosed or other dangerous atmospheres, paint removal, oil/fuel removal and tank cleaning, which may cause death, permanent or temporary disabilities, and injuries. Furthermore, long-term exposure to toxic and hazardous substances and materials which may be present on ships sent for dismantling, such as asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals in paints, oils and oil sludge, may lead to serious or irreversible work-related illnesses and diseases, including lung diseases, several forms of cancer and asbestos-related illnesses. •