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Breakthrough Gadget Helps Workers to Detect Asbestos

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airborne asbestosOne of the most alarming dangers of asbestos is that the mineral fibers aren’t immediately noticeable. They’re odorless, and they’re usually too small to see once they’re airborne. This is incredibly terrifying because there’s no known safe level of asbestos exposure, and it only takes a small amount of the material to lead to potentially deadly disease.

This is exactly why a team of scientists from the University of Hertfordshire in the U.K. decided to invent a new tool that, one day, may help workers all over the world, including carpenters, ship breakers, electricians and automotive brake specialists, easily detect asbestos.

How do you know something has asbestos right now?
For thousands of years, people used asbestos because its physical properties make it strong, fireproof and resistant to heat. It wasn’t until the late 20th century that responsible companies and governments started paying attention to scientific studies linking asbestos use to diseases such as malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer.

The use of asbestos has been somewhat reduced in the U.S. Though new manufacturing uses are forbidden, it’s still allowed in several items, including cement products. Additionally, asbestos is still present in many older buildings that were constructed using such materials.

Today, if it’s unclear whether the air at a work site contains asbestos fibers, trained professionals filter air samples, count any fibers and use X-rays to identify them. An alternative method is to use fiber detecting tools that work in real-time. However, these approaches are often time-consuming or nonspecific.

A new tool may come in less than two years
The idea that there may be a more convenient tool to detect asbestos is really exciting to us at Kazan Law, which is why we were so thrilled to read the story from the University of Hertfordshire. A team of scientists from the School of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics was motivated to get on the case after looking at the numbers.

Here’s what researcher Paul Kaye had to say:

“Many thousands of people around the world have died from asbestos fiber inhalation. Even today, long after asbestos use was banned in most Western countries, there are many people who become exposed to asbestos that was used in buildings decades earlier, and these people too are dying from that exposure.”

More specifically, the World Health Organization estimates that every year, more than 107,000 lives are lost because of asbestos exposure in the workplace.

Together, Kaye and his team turned to an old concept developed by an American scientist who pointed out that asbestos fibers have unique magnetic properties. The researchers then created a gadget that uses a combination of lasers and magnetic fields to detect asbestos. The advantage to this tool is that it can be used in real-time.

The target price for the first available products in the U.K. and Spain is between $700 and $800, projected to be released 12 to 18 months from now. But if production is successful, that price will go down.

In the meantime, vulnerable workers need to remember that the permissible exposure limit for asbestos is 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter averaged over an eight-hour shift, or 1 fiber per cubic centimeter averaged over 30 minutes. If your job exceeds these limits, your employer is required to provide you with adequate protection, such as respirators, full-body clothing, face shields and vented goggles.

Reducing Dangers of Asbestos Exposures in Natural Disasters

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asbestos_exposureThe recent tornado that tore through Moore, Oklahoma is a national tragedy. Houses, schools and other structures were devastated, and at least 24 people, including nine children, died.

At a time when survivors are overwhelmed by several pressing needs – relocating loved ones and pets, finding adequate shelter, tending to injuries – it’s easy to forget that going through the wreckage can be a very dangerous venture. Among the debris are several hazards, including asbestos exposure. It’s important for all of us in the nation to come together and extend whatever help we can, and at Kazan Law, we’re going to take this as an opportunity to go over some of the safety concerns that surround tornado wreckage.

Where is asbestos found in such a disaster?
Prior to the 1980s, asbestos was quite prevalent in building and construction materials because of physical properties that made it resistant to heat and friction. Once the scientific link between asbestos and deadly diseases such as malignant mesothelioma was established, a growing number of government officials and responsible companies began to reduce their use of this mineral. Still, the asbestos industry successfully lobbied to allow the material to remain a part of the manufacturing process of several products.

When it comes to buildings devastated by tornadoes, asbestos exposure is a risk if the structures had millboard, vermiculite, roofing felt, vinyl flooring, pipeline wrap and asbestos cement products, including corrugated sheets, flat sheets, pipes and shingles.

The Environmental Protection Agency and other government groups have learned a lot from past disasters, such as the tornado that struck parts of Missouri in 2011. Namely, there’s no easy way of telling whether parts of the wreckage contain asbestos unless homeowners remember if the products were clearly labeled. Otherwise, specially trained experts need to conduct scientific analyses. Whenever homeowners are in doubt, they should leave the cleanup work to licensed contractors who know how to handle asbestos.

During cleanup efforts, workers can decrease the risk of asbestos exposure by wearing N-100, P-100 or R-100 respirators that have been approved for use by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

In case it’s absolutely necessary for non-trained individuals to handle the wreckage, they can help reduce the asbestos dangers by wetting the debris with water first. Anything that gets discarded should be stored in leak-proof containers.

You can help the survivors
Protection from asbestos is always necessary, but let’s not forget that survivors are going to need a lot more help in the next few weeks. Even if you live thousands of miles away from Oklahoma, there’s still a lot that you can do to help people in need. Several organizations are collecting monetary donations:

  • The American Red Cross. You can easily contribute $10 to relief efforts by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999.
  • The Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief fund. Sending checks to BGCO, Attn: Disaster Relief, 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK, 73112.
  • United Way of Central Oklahoma. Mail checks to the United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK, 73101. Write “May Tornado Relief” in the memo.

Many of these groups, and more, also accept donations through their websites.

In addition to making monetary contributions, remember that medical needs are also pressing. During these times of disaster, consider donating blood to your local Red Cross chapter or other blood bank.

DIY Enthusiasts and the Risks of Asbestos Exposure

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asbestos exposurePeople who enjoy taking on home renovation projects themselves are usually cognizant of the safety risks involved. They know when to turn the gas off, how to steer clear of live electric wires and how to keep power tools safely isolated. If the house or building that a do-it-yourself enthusiast is working on is particularly old, he or she should also be aware of the likelihood of asbestos exposure.

The problem, though, is that the material is so ubiquitous that it’s not always easy to tell what contains asbestos and what doesn’t. Recently, I read a blogger’s column that discussed how asbestos can be found in certain doors.

Fire doors ironically can pose safety risks
Australian blogger David Caldwell, who also works as a transport engineer, wrote an entry about how he was installing a new lock on a fire door that was manufactured during the 1980s. The project involved drilling a series of holes through the wood of the door.

As you can imagine, all that drilling produced a lot of dust. Initially, all the dust resembled timber. However, as the sun went down and the work progressed, Caldwell hadn’t noticed that the texture of the dust was changing. It was only after Caldwell started to brush the dust off his clothing that he noticed it contained different colors. When he shined a flashlight on the dust, he saw white and gray coloration.

After having samples sent to a lab, he learned that the fire door was manufactured with asbestos and that, to his horror, he had been breathing in the dust at eye level.

Why is asbestos present in fire doors?
For thousands of years, civilization has used asbestos because of its physical properties that make it strong and resistant to heat, friction and fire. This led manufacturers of fire doors to use this mineral for their products. Asbestos may also be present in the wood or metal components of regular doors as a form of insulation.

Asbestos usually doesn’t pose a health threat to anyone unless it’s been disturbed somehow. When it comes to maintenance work on doors, that means it’s a good idea to refrain from using power tools, which would damage the material and make mineral fibers airborne. Once these fibers enter a human body, they can cause diseases such as malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer to develop unnoticed for decades.

Where else is asbestos found?
Asbestos use in the U.S. reached its peak around the mid-1970s, when the mineral was present in more than 3,000 commercial and industrial products. That means that buildings and houses that were erected during this time are likely to contain products tainted by asbestos.

If you enjoy doing home maintenance and renovation projects yourself, remember that asbestos may be present in:

  • Vermiculite insulation in the walls or attic
  • Vinyl flooring and backing
  • Textured paint
  • Walls and floors that surround wood-burning stoves
  • Hot water or steam pipes
  • Oil and coal furnaces
  • Unless a product is clearly labeled, you’re not likely to be certain of whether it contains asbestos. If that’s the case, you should assume that it does have asbestos and make an effort not to let anyone disturb it.

But, if you think you’d feel better knowing, send a sample of the object in question to a laboratory for analysis. For your safety, don’t do this yourself. Instead, hire a professional who’s been specially trained to handle asbestos.

Asbestos Roof Materials Can Put Workers at Serious Risk

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asbestos exposureWhether you’re a carpenter or a do-it-yourself enthusiast around the house, you need to know how to protect yourself from asbestos exposure. If you’re working on an older building, you may not know that the material can be found in insulation products, vinyl flooring and other items.

We know all about these hidden dangers at Kazan Law. We once represented a mesothelioma patient who worked hard during the 1970s, buying “fixer-upper” type houses and renovating them with his own hands. What he didn’t know was that many of these properties were tainted with asbestos-containing products.

Roofing materials can be especially worrisome because they’re among the many products that, to this day, are still allowed to include asbestos in the manufacturing process.

What items contain asbestos?
For hundreds of years, people have used asbestos because of its physical properties, which make it strong and resistant to heat and friction. This led to the use of asbestos in the manufacturing of several products used in construction. Roofing materials seemed like a natural fit, as a roof protects a building’s occupants from the elements and, in some cases, retards the spread of a dangerous fire. Buildings that were erected before the 1980s may have roofs with asbestos-tainted asphalt shingles, cement shingles, sealants, flashing and underlayment.

There are several roofing products today that are still allowed to contain asbestos, including felt, coating and cement shingles.

Why is asbestos still allowed?
For more than 70 years, scientists have linked asbestos to several deadly diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. Given those facts, it’s natural for one to wonder: If asbestos is so dangerous, why is it still allowed in the manufacturing process of certain products?

The answer is quite complex, but basically, the asbestos lobby has fought tooth and nail against government efforts to curb use of the material. For example, during the 1970s, federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency began forbidding the use of asbestos in certain types of insulation. The big crackdown, though, came in 1989, when the EPA proposed what was essentially an all-out ban on asbestos use. However, the asbestos industry took this law to court and successfully reversed most of its power.

Today, asbestos is still banned from products such as flooring felt and commercial paper, as well as any new uses. However, it’s still allowed in the manufacturing of many products that have always used it, including roofing materials.

Protection is possible during projects
The most definitive way to tell whether a roofing item contains asbestos is to read the original product label. If that’s unavailable, the determination of asbestos roof content, as well as its removal, are best left to a specially trained professional.

When someone is working on a roof that may contain asbestos, there are several measures that can help minimize exposure to the material. First, it’s important to keep all unnecessary personnel out of the area. Also, workers need to be sure they’re wearing respirators with P100 cartridge filters, because ordinary dust masks won’t help. Single-use disposable clothing that can be discarded at the end of the day is also advisable.

Plastic drop cloths around the house will help collect debris. Any materials that contain asbestos should be kept wet at all times. If anything has to be removed from the asbestos roof, it’s important to work slowly in order to minimize the amount of breaking and airborne mineral fibers. Materials that need to be thrown away should be lowered carefully to the ground rather than dropped down.

Once the waste is collected, it should be sealed in leak-tight bags, drums or 6-mil polyethylene sheeting.

At the end of the workday, clothes should be discarded and never reused. Both the exposed skin and the tools need to be washed carefully. Also, workers need to be careful not to track any dust or dirt with them into the house on which they’re working.

The Fight for Workers Dealing with Asbestos Exposure

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asbestos exposureIn countries such as the U.S., certain conveniences are often taken for granted, including cars, plumbing and electricity. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we rarely think about the amount of work and labor that went into producing these goods. Such a thought becomes poignant when we remember that some workers deal with asbestos exposure and other hazardous materials during the manufacturing process.

It’s important for us at Kazan Law to take time out and remember to honor these workers, and remind ourselves of why we’re trying to reduce the threat of asbestos exposure at home and around the world. That’s why, on April 28, we joined an international collection of labor unions in solidarity as we commemorated Workers’ Memorial Day as well as World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

Organizations push for better working conditions
When it comes to industries such as construction or manufacturing, the health hazards that workers face go above and beyond the everyday stress that people in other sectors face. Not only are some of these jobs physically demanding, but they also expose workers to certain hazardous materials, including asbestos.

Every year, on April 28, unions such as the AFL-CIO celebrate Workers’ Memorial Day to remember individuals who died because of disease or injuries they suffered while on the job. These incidents are sometimes the product of negligence on the part of irresponsible employers. Workers’ Memorial Day reminds us of the importance of speaking up for these individuals and correcting the mistakes that cost them their lives.

In that spirit, the International Labour Organization also designated April 28 as World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The ILO notes that every year, 2.34 million individuals around the world die from job-related causes. Of these casualties, 2.02 million are caused by diseases, including malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis.

This means that, on average, one person dies every 15 seconds because of a work-related accident or sickness. Developing countries are disproportionately hit because of the prominence that hazardous industries such as construction and mining have within their economies.

These trends are not only upsetting because they hurt the global economy – there’s also an immeasurable human cost for those who die, as well as the loved ones they leave behind.

However, April 28 reminds us of the importance of letting workers have a voice in unions, and collecting good data that holds industries accountable for their practices.

Kazan Law fights for workers
When it comes to asbestos-related diseases alone, the World Health Organization estimates that these illnesses claim more than 107,000 lives every year because of occupational asbestos exposure. The agency is working with intergovernmental groups around the planet to solve this problem by curbing asbestos use, encouraging the use of safer alternative materials and supporting research toward better treatments.

Our law firm is happy to stand by such causes. On a more local level, we also fight irresponsible companies who unscrupulously expose their workers to asbestos. Some of our recent victories include the cases of an auto mechanic for the Ford Motor Company in Hayward, Calif., a PG&E laborer, a machinist and a welder. All of these individuals were exposed to asbestos without receiving adequate warning or protection from the dangers involved, and we succeeded in persuading juries to award them a more-than-combined $20 million in damages.

Still, it would have been best if none of them were exposed to asbestos in the first place. This is why it’s important to continue fighting for the safety of all workers around the world.

The Asbestos Facts about Clear Creek Management Area

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For years, Kazan Law has fought misinformation in the courtroom.  When we enter the fray we are armed with decades of experience.  We learn from medical doctors, epidemiologists, industrial hygienists, economists, mineralogists and other experts who are at the top of their respective fields.  We constantly read the cutting edge medical and scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.  In short, we have the means to separate asbestos facts from biased fiction.

Most people do not have such resources.

We recently discovered a location close to home where innocent people are being misled by corporate interests in ways that threaten their very lives. Watch as I present the asbestos facts about Clear Creek Management Area. Stay tuned to read the full story.

 

Asbestos Exposure Warnings for Mining Operations

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asbestos exposureIn some parts of the country, the economic climate has forced several communities to consider drastic actions to revive their job sectors. For some regions, this means turning to mining. This isn’t a decision to take lightly, because mining can wreck the local environment. Also, depending on what the local rock ores and soil are made of, the mining operations can potentially put the surrounding communities at risk of asbestos exposure.

Whenever these proposals pop up, it’s no wonder that local residents and experts often become worried. In Wisconsin, where a state Senate bill would approve the establishment of iron mines, one retired geologist wrote in to a local newspaper, explaining that these operations would be a mistake for a number of reasons – asbestos exposure being one of them.

Where is asbestos found?
One of the troubles of mining for isolated minerals like iron is that the miners have to tear through other ores and minerals to get to what they want. If this rock includes asbestos, that can mean trouble for the workers and residents.

Naturally occurring asbestos can be found in certain layers of rock that lie near fault zones. In these areas, asbestos can make up between 1 and 25 percent of the volume of rock and soil.

Mineral fibers usually don’t pose a threat to local people unless they’re disturbed, and a mining operation is certain to put people at risk.

Geologist questions the pros and cons
Neil Koch, a retired geologist, wrote an editorial for the Dunn County News in Wisconsin. He took issue with state Senate Bill 1, which would open the way for a pit iron mine in northern Wisconsin. Although such an industry would create more jobs and lead to the establishment of more retail businesses to accommodate economic growth, Koch said the benefits cannot last forever. In fact, he anticipates it becoming non-profitable at a certain point, and once the miners leave, the local residents will be left devastated.

For one thing, the mining operations are likely to rip asbestos fibers out of the soil, therefore increasing people’s risks of diseases such as malignant pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. Also, the machinery and waste rock involved in mining would contaminate the local air and bodies of water with chemical hazards such as mercury and arsenic.

Koch said that he’d seen other mining towns go in this direction in the past, and he’s afraid that communities in Wisconsin won’t be able to recover once they’ve exhausted the land’s resources. He also pointed out that rates of mesothelioma tend to be higher in areas such as the former mining communities in northern Minnesota, compared to the rest of the country.

Keep soil and dirt out of your house
Researchers have known about the health risks associated with asbestos exposure since the early 20th century. Since then, the asbestos industry has fought scientists every step of the way in their efforts to protect the general public from asbestos-containing materials.

If you’re worried about how to keep asbestos-tainted soil and dust out of the house, there are several ways you can protect yourself from asbestos exposure:

  • Walk, run, bike or hike only on paved ground.
  • Make sure your children only play on ground that’s covered in mulch, grass, sand, wood chips, grass, asphalt or rubber.
  • Pave over any unpaved areas that surround your house.
  • Place doormats outside each entrance so that people and pets can wipe their feet before entering.
  • Keep your windows and doors closed on windy days.
  • Vacuum your carpet using only products that have HEPA filters.
  • Use only wet rags or mops to dust or clean non-carpeted areas.

It’s unfortunate that you, as the consumers, need to know how to protect yourself from unscrupulous and irresponsible businesses. If you think this is unfair too, let your lawmakers know how you feel about the dangers of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Cement a Life-Threatening Issue for Workers

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asbestos_cementOne part of history that never fails to anger me is that despite the federal government’s efforts to curb asbestos exposure during the 1970s and 1980s, policies that banned a wide range of asbestos-containing products were short-lived. Thanks to the relentless efforts of industries, a large number of items are still allowed to be manufactured with asbestos in the U.S. Many of these products are made with asbestos cement.

The people who live or work in the structures that were built with asbestos cement aren’t the only ones who need to worry about their health. Over the years, a number of studies have shown that the employees of the actual asbestos cement plants also have to be concerned.

Why does some cement contain asbestos?
For centuries, civilization has used asbestos because it’s strong and resistant to heat, friction and certain chemicals. By the mid-1970s, it was used in the manufacturing of more than 3,000 commercial and industrial products.

In 1989, the federal Environmental Protection Agency tried to enact policies that would have reduced asbestos use in the U.S. by about 94 percent, but two years later, the asbestos industry successfully reversed many of these regulations. As a result, manufacturers are still allowed to use the mineral to create cement products such as pipes, sheets and shingles.

That’s bad news for workers who have to actually make these products. Asbestos is sometimes added to cement mixes because the mineral fibers help keep the material from cracking.

Plant workers are at risk for respiratory diseases
For decades, scientists have been worried about the health of asbestos cement plant workers around the world, including the U.S. In the 1980s, researchers from Louisiana conducted studies on the health of individuals who worked in one of two asbestos cement plants in the state. The scientists discovered that the rates of malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer were higher among people who worked in the one facility that actually manufactured asbestos cement pipes, particularly if they were employed there for more than one year.

The workers who enter the plant on a daily basis aren’t the only ones at risk. In Japan, researchers found that the residents who live near these facilities are also in danger, even after they close down. I found one study in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine that estimated that, from 1970 to 2049, between 296 and 382 people who lived around the asbestos cement plant near Amagasaki City will die from mesothelioma caused by exposure to the mineral fibers.

Other studies I’ve read have shown that asbestos exposure has one thing in common with tobacco use: The sooner that exposure stops, the lower the risk for future health problems. One research paper from Italy demonstrated that once asbestos cement plant employees stopped working, their risk of death from lung cancer dropped. Also, the study showed that the odds of these workers developing malignant pleural mesothelioma decreased once the possible latency period for their disease passed 40 years. However, the risk of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma continued to climb.

Personally, I find it rather appalling that companies around the world continue to use asbestos in the face of all the science that shows how dangerous it is. This goes to show you how powerful and influential the asbestos lobby can be.

But no one at Kazan Law is giving up the fight, and neither should you. If you’re as angry as we are, you should contact your lawmakers and tell them to take a stronger stance against the asbestos industry while increasing funding for medical research on asbestos-induced diseases.

In the meantime, workers need to keep themselves educated about their rights to protect themselves from asbestos exposure on the job.

Asbestos Containing Products Still Manufactured Today

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asbestos containing productsPublic awareness about the dangers of asbestos containing products is increasing. Storms on the East Coast drew attention to the presence of the material in the wreckage, while movies and TV shows, ranging from 1994’s “With Honors” to Fox TV’s “Bones,” have portrayed the devastating effects that asbestos can have on people who inhale the deadly mineral fibers.

Even the federal government has been taking notice lately – it declared the first week of April National Asbestos Awareness Week.

So with all the attention surrounding this hazard, many of Kazan Law’s clients are left with certain questions: Why is asbestos still allowed in manufacturing in the U.S., and what products contain it?

Two decades of incremental work

For more than 70 years, scientists have found evidence that asbestos has potentially deadly effects on the human body. However, it wasn’t until 1973 that the federal government started to crack down on asbestos use. That year, the Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of spray-on asbestos as fireproofing and insulation material. Throughout the rest of the decade, the EPA forbade the use of asbestos from more products, including boilers, hot water tanks, artificial fireplace embers and wall patching compounds.

The big push came, though, in 1989, when the EPA banned most asbestos containing products. However, the asbestos industry challenged the law, and the federal appeals court removed most of the teeth in these policies two years later.

Currently, the EPA bans asbestos from being used in corrugated paper, commercial paper, specialty paper, flooring felt and rollboard. Also, companies cannot introduce asbestos into the production processes of items that were never made with the material in the past.

More than 1,000 tons a year for asbestos containing products

Asbestos hasn’t been mined in the U.S. since 2002. However, the country still imports the mineral from nations like Brazil, which still mines it. During the last three years, the U.S. took in more than 1,000 tons of asbestos annually.

So where does it all go? The U.S. Geological Survey lists the chloroalkali industry as the leading user of asbestos, consuming 57 percent of mineral sources. This business uses asbestos for devices that convert brine into chlorine because the material is strong and resistant to acids and bases.

As for the rest of the asbestos that comes into the U.S., unfortunately, some industries are still allowed to manufacture certain asbestos containing products. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Cement corrugated sheets
  • Cement flat sheets
  • Cement pipe
  • Pipeline wrap
  • Vinyl floor tiles
  • Automatic transmission components
  • Clutch facings
  • Disk brake pads
  • Drum brake linings
  • Gaskets
  • Roof coatings
  • Roofing felt
  • Clothing

There is no excuse for this because there are many suitable substitutes for asbestos. These may include carbon fiber, cellulose fiber, steel fiber, glass fiber, talc and silica.

Needless to say, we here at Kazan law find all of this greatly disturbing. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, so the fact that it’s still used in manufacturing is appalling. But if you’re as perturbed as we are, you may be able to help: Channel your anger and frustration into positive action. One way to do this is to contact your federal legislators and ask them to support policies such as the outright banning of asbestos containing products and widespread federally supported health screening.

Countries Band Together to Say No to Toxic Ship Dumping

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asbestos exposureWhether we’re talking about old naval ships that served the U.S. in the Vietnam War or once-magnificent cruise ships that outlived their shine, the fact is that large maritime vessels need to be properly disposed of when they’re no longer useful – the keyword being “properly.” Too many times, countries around the world cut corners when they get rid of their ships. Not only are these practices not environmentally friendly, but they also needlessly put people at risk of exposure to asbestos and other toxins.

That’s why I’ve found it so encouraging to learn that more than 30 non-government organizations in Europe are pushing for the European Parliament to create a continental fund that supports green policies for ship recycling.

90 percent of old ships are dumped on the developing world
One of the reasons why current ship breaking practices make us at Kazan Law so angry is that these responsibilities are often dumped on developing countries. In fact, the Center for Land Use Interpretation, or CLUI, estimates that 90 percent of the world’s ships are sent to Pakistan, Bangladesh and India to be broken apart.

What’s the danger there? For one thing, many old ships used asbestos as a form of insulation in their engine rooms and other areas. People who work to break the ships apart are at serious risk for diseases such as malignant pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 107,000 people from all over the planet die annually because of illnesses caused by asbestos exposure on the job. That includes those who work as ship breakers. However, asbestos isn’t the only thing that puts people’s health at risk. Mineral oil, bilge water, heavy metals such as lead and mercury, and other chemicals are also hazardous.

Countries try to go green
It’s easy to cut corners on ship breaking, but there are several NGOs in Europe that refuse to stand idly by as both the environment and people are imperiled. More than 30 groups, including Greenpeace and the International Federation of Human Rights, signed a petition to the European Parliament to support green ship recycling practices.

An environmental committee within the European Parliament voted to create a continental fund that would encourage European countries to bear the management costs of handling the hazardous waste from ships. The petition calls on the whole parliament to implement the proposal. Money for the fund would come from fees levied on ships calling on any port in the European Union.

The governing body is scheduled to vote on the fund April 18. Additionally, they’ll vote on whether to ban beaching, an irresponsible practice in which ships are broken apart on tidal beaches instead of impermeable floors.

In addition to protecting both the environment and workers’ health, ship recycling advocates also support greater bargaining rights for individuals who work as ship breakers.

How does the U.S. deal with its own ships?
Federal law in the U.S. requires that most ships be disposed of within this country. Most of these jobs take place at sites in Virginia, Maryland and Texas. Once the ships are sufficiently dismantled and cleaned by firms specializing in these jobs, they can be used for sinking in live-fire military training exercises. Also, one environmentally conscious practice used for clean and empty ships is to sink them offshore for the purposes of establishing new coral reefs. These sites also provide curiosities for scuba divers.

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