Months after the tsunami in Japanese officials continue to speculate that the total risk to health of site cleanup raises for employees, volunteers and residents move freely through the debris that remains. According to the past article CBS News, covering:
"Workers, volunteers and residents freely through the rubble. Some wear masks; others do not, in spite of the plumes of dust that shoot up every time the giant steel claw picks up the cargo debris. In the windy days particles swirl in the air. They sting eyes and irritate the throat before leaving a thin layer of dust that passes through.
"There are a lot of people returning to the rubble to search for values and photographs," said Takuo Saitou, Sendai Attorney and spokesperson for the solution of defective household problems in Northern Japan.
"There are people, not even wear masks. This is an act of suicide, "he said. "We want people to know that this is a problem."
Asbestos fibers are so small that they can easily enter the lungs, where they cause inflammation. Studies show that they increase the risk of lung cancer, a rare form of cancer mesothelioma and lung disorders, including asbestosis. Because of long-term exposure to asbestos, it often takes decades to see them.
Saitou group submitted a letter last week, the Minister of environment and other government officials, asking for monitoring around the disaster affected areas, an effective public information, the distribution of masks and the proper handling of wastes, asbestos-laden air.
The problem faced by Japan and the United States — two of the largest consumers of asbestos in the twentieth century. As they fought to address disasters, they were too dispersed for long-term health risks.
To read the full article, visit http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/27/501364/main20057826.shtml
