NEW DELHI, June 21: The Ministries of Environment and Steel are at loggerheads over allowing entry to two United States (US) ships for ship-breaking off the coast of Gujarat.

These ships are of 1930s vintage and contain hazardous substances in their paint that have long been banned.

While the Steel Ministry has granted permission, the Environment Ministry has steadfastly refused to do so, saying that certain chemicals in the paint are hazardous and toxic.

Interestingly, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has taken a neutral view of the matter, saying that this is a business deal and clearance should be granted on the merit of the case.

Environment Minister Saifuddin Soz says that even US Ambassador Frank Wisner had personally come to plead the case of the shipping companies, ``but we feel the need for a through investigation''.

Officials in the Environment Ministry said the paint contains polycholorinated biphenyls (PCBs) besides large quantities of asbestos and cable wires.

PCBs are a class of chemicals that are especially hazardous and directly interfere with the reproductive system of humans and cause intelligence disorders in children.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.