Asbestos turmoil, French aircraft last battle ? *

Two years ago, French aircraft, the so called Clemenceau, was on the way to be destroyed in the biggest ship slaughter-house in the world in the Alang bay, India. Thanks to troublesome no profit organisation as well as Greenpeace, the long time French glorious boat returned dramatically to its quay, full of asbestos ! However asbestos harmfulness was already known, french government has decided to get rid of it, at a low price, a blind eye towards the Indians workers health condition. Fortunately, fate is not always written. Today, the ship sails in the folds of a public invitation market. Some companies proposed methods involving high temperatures. Others offered treatment consisting in the transformation of asbestos crystalline structure (dangerous) into an amorphous structure (inoffensive). Harmless, low cost, convenient setting up and irreversible with a much more greater concern about workers safety, in particular, those working in the Alang bay. All options have their argument, but the main target is to conceive and realize a product which should meet the needs on an increasingly demand for asbestos polluted areas, throughout the world, millions of tonnes located in infected building, 600 ships, railways transports, agricultural equipment, etc. Since 1957, when it has been built, Clemenceau made 48 times the world round trip, it could continue but, this time, with an accurate solution of this damaging trouble. So what was at first glance perceived as a fiasco could be converted into an industrial and ecological tale !

François de la Chevalerie, Daniel Joubert et Jacques Humbert

Asbestos troublesome issue *

Volume XXVI n° 3 mars 2008 Arab Construction World

Abstract

Why the diseases linked to the inhalation of dust asbestos are spreading ? Today, the main reason is the huge cost of the asbestos removal operation.

Today, in western Europe, only 3.5% of buildings with asbestos have been treated. At least, it should take three centuries before getting rid of this extremely harm material. Indeed diseases linked to dust asbestos inhalation are spreading : pulmonary fibrosis, pleural plaques, lung cancer. According to an incubation period of 15/20 years, asbestos kills inexorably. In Europe, 20000 cases each year have been diagnosed, 100000 deaths by 2025 ! A study made by the Erasmus Hospital in Brussels suggests that an adult on seven European bring pulmonary asbestos signs exposure.

The main reason of this situation is the huge cost of the asbestos removal, approximately 1350 euros per ton. But others charges has to be added : building’s immobilization during the operation, staff settlement in another site, logistics reorganization, etc. For example, for a building covering an area of 10000 m2, the cost could approach 20 M ?.

Even if health emergency should be the only matter, the reality is different. The decision to carry out asbestos depends mainly on each company’s direction. They assess its adequacy in relation with their overall costs and other priorities. Without cash, some companies exempt themselves of the work. Uneasy task ! If they meet this burden, they will require equal savings ! Moreover, final cost is rarely established. In Europe, final budget overruns 25% of the initial cost. Given these factors, real estate companies are unable to undertake the work as a whole. Through a several years plan, some companies managed directly their heritage, others outsourced the asbestos removal  organization to specialized consulting firms.

If many owners are hosted in the same building, sometines it led to a impossibility to launch the work. As an example, the Paris Tour Montparnasse is significant with its 90 owners (individuals, off shores companies, financial fund, etc.) How to create a "common need" while everyone has a particular situation. Could an Arabic Gulf owner pay 150000 euros for its 400 m2 while in his country no law required it ? The housing financial crisis brings even more uncertainties. Due to a decline of their assets, waiting for a more prosperous time, the managers will be tempted to postpone asbestos removal operations.

Could the Public sector perform it better ? Although action plans exist, many programs sort between emergencies while any building containing asbestos has to be treated. Lack of financial means is the obvious reason ! Governments are paralyzed as evidenced by the critical hospital public situation. A great majority of them were built in the sixties with asbestos. While the fact is known, few have been treated. Unfortunately, exposure to asbestos continues his work, contaminating patients and the hospital staff. In Caen hospital (France), among the employees, diseases linked to asbestos inhalation are spreading. A 140 million euros emergency plan has been decided. While the establishment should have been closed, activity continues. In Paris, the Sciences de l'Homme house, a six-story building is full of asbestos. The government has agreed to relocate its activities in the Paris suburbs. Incomprehensibly the decision provoked the anger of the occupants even if they are heavily expose. However, the mismanagement gold palm belongs the Jussieu university. While it would have been necessary to close the building, operations were delayed.  In spite of the dead of 20 person among the academic staff, the work is still unfinished.

Although the asbestos responsibility is punished by the courts, despite the claims, apparently it is not enough to suggest a more radical policy. Meanwhile, the devastation caused by mineral fibres are continuing.

How to remedy it ? Two otions should be considered. On the first hand, the reduction of the removal cost requires the implementation of other processes. The today, plasma torch technology, is very expensive. Other proposals must be considered and first of all, technicals validation. Moreover, given the complexity of operations, specialized companies could shoulder the burden, organizing all operations, promoting the elimination of asbestos in the shortest possible time.

Instead of giving up, it is best to encourage the emergence of an innovative solution. The challenge worth it  put an end to this scourge, always persistent !

François de la Chevalerie & Mnahi Al Masoud