Egypt Allows Asbestos Ship To Pass Through -- MesoLink.org -- 01-30-06

A decommissioned French warship said to be carrying tons of asbestos has been granted passage by Egyptian authorities to pass through the Suez Canal. Officials have stated that they do not see the vessel posing any threat to the environment hence their decision to grant passage to the ship, called the Clemenceau.

The vessel is headed for an Indian scrap yard, but Greenpeace officials have stated that it should not be allowed to reach the destination because of the asbestos on board. Greenpeace has stated that it fears for the health of workers over at the scrap yard in Gujarat because they will be exposed to deadly asbestos, which can result in a number of health problems including cancer.

Experts will examine the vessel before it passes through, but Greenpeace is still concerned and states that Egyptian officials should never have given in to pressure from the French. Two protesters from Greenpeace actually boarded the vessel late last week to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos on the ship.

When the ship reaches the scrap yard the workers will be dismantling it. Greenpeace has been trying to stop the ship being sent to the scrap yard for some time.