Oregon Presses Bill on Asbestos
Article Added April 27th, 2007 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
The state of Oregon won an initial victory earlier this week when a bill regarding the safe disposal of ships got preliminary approval. The bill would impose regulations, forcing ships to be dismantled in dry docks to contain dangerous materials like asbestos. Shipyards in Oregon cater to breaking ships down as a form of big business near the port cities. But a new bill being discussed may dampen that business, but will be better for the environment and residents in the area. The bill proposes that all ships being broken down along the coast of Oregon must be completed in a dry dock. This would contain the danger of hazardous substances leaking out into the surrounding water and carrying for hundreds of miles. When ships are broken down, oil, paint, lead and asbestos can all be byproducts of the process. Asbestos is one of the main concerns behind the bill, since not only can asbestos travel by water, but by air as well. When asbestos is broken apart, the fibers can become airborne, and can be inhaled into the lungs. Asbestos exposure can result in respiratory diseases including emphysema and mesothelioma, a deadly, aggressive form of lung cancer. Many shipyard workers develop mesothelioma after years of dismantling ships, but dry-docking during the process can reduce those occurrences.
Article Added April 27th, 2007 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
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