LONDON – A decommissioned French aircraft carrier containing asbestos traveled from France to Britain on Sunday, where it will be stripped for recycling despite an environmental controversy.
The ship docked near Hartlepool, in northeast England. The Clemenceau was originally set to be dismantled in India, but revelations that it was loaded with asbestos sparked protests by environmental groups there.
Asbestosis is a disorder that scars the lungs and can be fatal. 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 in Britain were unable to stop the French ship from being brought to the country.
The recycling company doing the work estimates 200 jobs will be created, but environmentalists say that is not worth the potential risks.
The aircraft carrier was launched in 1957. It sailed over 1 million nautical miles before being withdrawn from active service in 1997.
When the Clemenceau was built, asbestos was not widely known to be a health hazard.
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Desperate times call for desperate measures. Sad that it's had to come to these things to keep a little of the economy moving and jobs being created. My heart goes out to my fellow Brits. in their time of need even if I'm in the Us.
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