Scotland’s Families Are Fearful of Asbestos

Article Added February 21st, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

If a planning application gets the go ahead from Buchan counselors, Longside could become the asbestos dumping ground of North Scotland. Local residents are afraid of the outcome of this decision.

Les Taylor Contractors, a Mintlaw-based building company, have lodged a planning application to dump 45,000 metric tons of asbestos at Savoch Quarry over the next 10 years. Residents have vowed to fight the application in a fit of anger over the dumping of more than 50 tons of asbestos a day. The disposing of such a huge amount of the hazardous material near their homes is, according to the residents, bound to have a negative impact on their health. Serious concerns are being raised over the health of the elderly and young in the area.

The hazardous waste, which is non-toxic in its solid form, is linked to lung cancer and emphysema, resulting in scarring of the lungs. Repeated, prolonged exposure is the surest way to asbestos-linked diseases. The material is harmless when solid, but often is broken up into a powder or fiber when it is disposed of, the main reason that residents are fearful of the material being dumped in the landfill. Others question where the huge amount of asbestos comes from, and whether there are other health concerns that could be affiliated with the dumping.

Article Added February 21st, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story