Contaminated Ship Arrives in UK for Dismantling

09.02.09

A French aircraft carrier containing asbestos traveled from France to Britain on Sunday, where it will be stripped for recycling despite causing controsvery with environmentalists.

The ship was originally set to be dismantled in India, but revelations that it was loaded with asbestos sparked protests by environmental groups and it was forced to carry on and has docked in the UK near Hartlepool.

Asbestosis is a disorder that damages the lungs. It occurs after exposure to asbestos, which has been used in manufacturing and construction and has microscopic bundles of fibers that may become airborne and inhaled. Environmentalists are worried about the impact this may have.

The recycling company doing the work estimates 200 jobs will be created because of the situation, but environmentalists say that is not worth the potential risks on peoples health and the environment.

The aircraft carrier was launched in 1957. It sailed over 1 million nautical miles before being withdrawn from active service in 1997.

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