I’m sure we are all aware of the long running asbestos scandal, but I feel this series really pulls all the threads together. I think we are now living in a World where political lobbying is as powerful and secret as ever, and the new US administration will certainly put the buck ahead of citizens welfare.
Health and safety standards matter little to billionaires, and the US is already trying to weaken EU standards, claiming that they are just trade barriers in disguise. I hope the EU holds the line.
Brexit has also made the UK more vulnerable to the erosion of standards due to local and foreign lobbying pressure. From chlorinated chicken to Online safety, it’s under attack.
1 Like
I think we are now living in a World where political lobbying is as powerful and secret as ever, and the new US administration will certainly put the buck ahead of citizens welfare.
Politics for sale to the highest bidder - always.
I suppose the logic is economic wellbeing means re-election ‘It’s the economy stupid’ - the point being to expect what’s best for Corporation to be seized by Politician. Most notably in Libertarian/Right wing politicians hellbent on permitting a dystopian Capitalist Coporatocracy.
From my phd supervisor - Bill Cookson down in South Ken @captainendeavour 
home of overpriced lamborghinis!
Used to live not far from Acre Mill in Old Town, a major asbestos manufacturer, well after it was closed down. They used to tip the asbestos waste down the side of a steep hill in the neighbouring village where I lived. The waste was covered in soil and later trees were planted to stop soil erosion. There was a local campaign for many years to ‘remove’ the asbestos waste, of which there were many tonnes. My OH was a civil engineer and waste management consultant and the locals tried to get her on their side. They were severely disappointed in her recommendation to leave the damn stuff exactly where it was. It had been there many years and was stable. Digging it all up and taking it away would not just cost a huge amount of money but would just risk getting it into the air where it is dangerous.
3 Likes
My surveyor friend tells the story of a colleague who - somehow - missed the presence, pretty much throughout the house. The owner was manager of the local asbestos works.
Anyway, professional indemnity insurance covered the cost of creating a huge plastic bubble around the house when it had to be demolished (it was, of course, unmortgageable).