Asbestos Town Fears TB Amid Health Mystery

In Kymore, Katni district, approximately 100 sputum samples were gathered during a recent two-day health screening that concluded on October 10, 2026. This initiative was prompted by concerns over suspected asbestos poisoning linked to a long-defunct British plant. A total of 274 residents living near the former Kymore plant participated in the screening. One individual exhibited potential TB symptoms, though experts emphasize that this limited testing is insufficient to ascertain the true prevalence of tuberculosis in the area, especially given the town's history of asbestos exposure.

The collected sputum samples are undergoing Cartridge-Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT) to detect TB bacteria and identify rifampicin resistance. Health officials reported 112 attendees on October 9 and 162 on October 10. Experts believe a more extensive, systematic survey is necessary to accurately assess the disease burden. This is particularly important due to long-standing concerns about asbestos exposure and the absence of comprehensive health records. It remains unclear if any individuals who received compensation from the T&N Trust for asbestos-related diseases attended the camps, as attendance records so far do not confirm this.

Kymore was established in 1933 as the site of India's first asbestos factory. A previous investigative report highlighted the lack of a government database detailing asbestos exposure, diagnosed diseases, or related deaths among residents. A 2016 assessment by ECOH Management found asbestos contamination extending into residential yards, fields, and recreational areas, raising fears of widespread exposure beyond factory workers. The T&N Trust has settled claims for over 1,000 individuals from Kymore, but the status of continued medical surveillance for these compensated individuals is an open question.