The focus for the prevention of environmental mesothelioma has to be twofold: the rehabilitation of the areas polluted by asbestos during mining and milling of the mineral and the education of the affected communities about the asbestos hazard. The extent of the problem of environmental pollution by asbestos in the affected regions is enormous. Living for the most part in complete ignorance of the health threat posed by asbestos, many communities have been seriously polluted with asbestos.
Although initial remedial efforts by local and Provincial governments were slow and sporadic, a more concerted effort has been made by the Department of Minerals in recent years. The government has spent 44 million rand on this process, and estimates that a further 52 million is needed to complete this task. Companies have contributed less than 5% of the rehabilitation costs.
Felix has documented the asbestos pollution of communities in the Northern Province asbestos fields in the proximity of Penge, together with community-based efforts to ameliorate the problem. Mills in the Pietersburg asbestos fields were originally situated in valleys near mines, often alongside streams and what later became the major roads of the area.
African miners settled close to the mills. Over the years these remote, rural settlements grew into well established villages. In common with the conditions under apartheid, they had no piped water, no electricity, impoverished schools and health care facilities, and were served by rutted gravel roads.
Although initial remedial efforts by local and Provincial governments were slow and sporadic, a more concerted effort has been made by the Department of Minerals in recent years. The government has spent 44 million rand on this process, and estimates that a further 52 million is needed to complete this task. Companies have contributed less than 5% of the rehabilitation costs.
Felix has documented the asbestos pollution of communities in the Northern Province asbestos fields in the proximity of Penge, together with community-based efforts to ameliorate the problem. Mills in the Pietersburg asbestos fields were originally situated in valleys near mines, often alongside streams and what later became the major roads of the area.
African miners settled close to the mills. Over the years these remote, rural settlements grew into well established villages. In common with the conditions under apartheid, they had no piped water, no electricity, impoverished schools and health care facilities, and were served by rutted gravel roads.
Comments
Post a Comment