U. S Toxic Wastes In Oceans
By Mark Townsend of The Observer
Permission has been secretly granted for the derelict vessels to be towed 4,000 miles to Teesside, where they and their contents will be broken up and buried. They hold hundreds of tonnes of asbestos and some of the most poisonous chemicals known to man. It promises to be a fraught voyage: the convoy of 13 vessels must risk ferocious Atlantic storms, and also the world's busiest shipping zone - the English Channel.
The Observer can reveal that the controversial deal will be signed tomorrow, having obtained government approval on Friday. Next month, the ships will leave their base in Virginia, where they have lain corroding and disused for decades amid repeated pollution scandals.
Another 80 derelict ships - condemned as 'toxic floating dumps' by some - may follow the route to North East England, where they will be torn apart at shipbreaking yards. Their 11,000-tonne hulks will be buried in landfill sites near Hartlepool.
The deal has been shrouded with secrecy. Yet an investigation into why Britain accepted the contaminated US warships has raised fresh doubts over it. The agreement appears to contravene international regulations on transporting dangerous goods. It has also emerged that the US authorities even offered 'sweeteners'.
Following frantic negotiations last week, the Government sanctioned the deal. The Health and Safety Executive has lifted an order banning the import of asbestos, which has claimed hundreds of lives in shipyard communities. http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,6903,1006677,00.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------