- 4.1 magnitude earthquake Çelikhan, Adıyaman
UTC time: Wednesday, March 22, 2023 19:43 PM
GMT: Wednesday, 22 March 2023 at 19:43 GMT
Asbestos in earthquake areas
Environmental organizations warn that the earthmoving work in the earthquake zones may lead to a threat of asbestos and harmful substances, and call for urgent measures to be taken
77 environmental and animal rights organizations and unions in Turkey released a written statement about the hazardous threat after the earthquake and listed the precautions to be taken. The statement emphasized that the efforts to remove the ubiquitous rubble that produces asbestos threatens public health and the ecosystem.
Experts say that asbestos is an insulating and carcinogenic substance.
'ECOLOGICAL BALANCE RATHER THAN CAPITAL'
The statement pointed out that the debris was being removed quickly without irrigation work. It noted that during the demolition and removal, harmful chemicals were mixed with the air, soil and water. Moreover, protective equipment against the risk of asbestos was not used.
The statement listed the demands of the environmental organizations as follows:
“*All the debris removal operations should be stopped immediately, except for the excavation storage areas designated before and after the earthquake. The names and locations of the designated areas should be made public, and the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), urban/ecological organizations and local representatives should be allowed to inspect these areas. Debris wastes that contain various chemicals should be kept in storage areas that meet the hazardous waste storage conditions.
* Debris removal operations should be carried out in a way that protects the ecological balance and the lives of the workers, rather than being capital-oriented, by taking the necessary precautions for workers’ health and safety.
* A report on whether demolished and damaged houses contain asbestos and other hazardous substances should be revealed to the public.
* The rubble that contains asbestos and hazardous substances should be separated and removed based on scientific methods and stored in a way that does not harm the life cycle.
* Transparent joint coordinations should be established and these should contain all local subjects, including public institutions responsible for debris removal and dumping, especially the ministry of environment, urbanism and climate change and ecology organizations, professional chambers, city councils, unions.
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