Dioxins Dioxins arise when chlorine products like PVC are made or burned. Dioxins are the most toxic substances humans have ever released into the environment. They are carcinogenic and can suppress the immune system. Dioxins are suspected of prenatal and postnatal affects on children's nervous systems.
PVC
In most western countries the emissions of dioxins are strongly reduced. A UN-treaty on POPs (2001) banned dioxins worldwide. But it can never be banned totally as long as chlorine products exist. In the shipwrecks lots of equipment and materials are made of PVC. Burned in open fires on the shipbreaking yards, dioxins are constantly inhaled by the workers.
PAHs Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are released during torch cutting. And afterwards, when paints continue to smoulder. Or when wastes are deliberately burned. Inhaling the fumes causes the main health hazard. PAHs cause malignant tumours. They interfere with enzymatic breakdown, affecting the lungs, stomach, intestines and skin. About 250 PAHs are known. Some 30 compounds and several hundreds of derivatives are carcinogenic.
Organotins Organotins are TBT (tributyltin), TBTO and TBTCL. They
are nerve toxins that accumulate in the blood, liver, kidneys and brain.
TBTO is acutely poisonous and genotoxic. TBT is an aggressive biocide. It
is used in anti-fouling paints since the 70s. TBT disrupts the endocrine
system of marine shellfish. The IMO decided to ban
TBT from ships in 2003.
Painted surfaces
Organotin compounds can damage human health in even small doses. Workers in shipbreaking yards are constantly exposed to TBT. They have direct unprotected contact to painted surfaces. Even walking barefoot along the beach is a source of exposure. In industrialised nations workers are protected from exposure to anti-fouling paints with TBT. Skin, eye and lung protection are mandatory.
PCBs Polychlorinated organic compounds (PCBs) are found in solid and liquid forms. PCBs are on board in - amongst others - cable insulation, transformers, capacitors and anchor windlasses. They are highly toxic and bioaccumulate in the environment. PCBs have been linked to cancer, liver damage, reproductive impairments and immune system damage.
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Dioxins
Organotins