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Yesterday's Hankyoreh 'editorial' proves once again that the so-called "Four Major Rivers Restoration Project" is nothing more than an ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME!!

Four Rivers restoration through

asbestos-contaminated stones

An environmental group has confirmed that stones contaminated with asbestos, a Group 1 carcinogen, have been used in the creation of an ecological stream as part of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province. The stones stacked on both sides of the stream as part of levee construction are caked in white clumps of asbestos, and nearby, there were fragments of broken-off stone and asbestos powder scattered around.

As is widely known, asbestos is a Group 1 carcinogen whose production and use has been completely banned since last year. It is shocking in itself that asbestos would be used in an unrestricted manner for the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project. In particular, in the 15th district of the Han River, where the stone coated with asbestos was used, is where an ecological stream will be created with insects, a lotus pond and walking paths so that locals can engage in recreation and relaxation. If construction continues as is, it may become not an ecological stream, but a stream of death.

The polluted rocks were produced at a quarry in nearby Jeongok Village, Susan Township, Jecheon, the location of a closed asbestos mine. People have pushed several times for the quarry’s close because of the possibility of asbestos contamination. Workers at the quarry have reportedly continued to produce rocks with clumps of asbestos while wearing no protective gear, including masks. It is an immediate certainty that the workers at the quarry will suffer fatal damage to their health. Beyond that, it is clear there will be secondary contamination in locations where the rocks are placed.

Asbestos is designated a Group 1 carcinogen (carcinogenic to humans) by the World Health Organization (WHO) through the International Agency for Research on Cancer, since it leads to lung cancer and malignant tumors if it becomes airborne and is breathed into the lungs. Its use is banned, and materials with more than 1 percent asbestos, when thrown away, must be separated and processed separately. It is outrageous that despite this, the quarry continues to operate without any control and the rocks mixed with asbestos coming from it have been used in an array of construction projects, including the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project. The quarry must be shut down immediately and the construction area where the polluted rocks used restored completely. Going further, the construction sites that used the rocks must be found and all the rocks removed.

This episode illustrates the extent of the negligence with which the current Four Major Rivers Restoration Project is being conducted, with no regard for the environment or for safety. The Lee Myung-bak administration must fully understand that the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project construction, with which it is pushing ahead despite the opposition of the majority of the public, may bring about a huge disaster instead of saving rivers.

http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_editorial/430108.html