Indian firm pans Asos over radioactive belts

An Indian supplier of belts that were recalled for being

radioactive accused British online fashion retailer Asos of acting without proof. The London-listed retailer had recalled a batch of belts -- made of leather and covered with metal studs -- in January after US customs officials found traces of Cobalt-60 in one of the products.

However, Royal Ascot Leather, the Indian firm which supplied the belts has allegedly claimed that Asos was unfairly seeking compensation over the recall and had failed to provide evidence of a safety threat. The company is amused at the allegation made by the British retailer claiming, if a person wears the said belt for more than 500 hours, he can get cancer. Meanwhile, the Royal Ascot factory has been forced to shut down over the controversy and workers have been protesting against Asos outside the premises demanding that their factory be reopened.

The recall has put another question mark on growing concerns over toxic waste disposal methods and safety regulations in India where demand for scrap metal has soared because of a boom in construction and manufacturing. Asos had sold around 50 of the belts to customers in some 15 countries before the recall.