Aboriginal community faces high rates of mesothelioma, other asbestos-related diseases
The Aboriginal community of Baryulgil, which lies along the northwest coast of Australia, faces an epidemic of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, according to an article appearing in The Australian on June 5th. According to a report commissioned by Hardie, which ran the asbestos mining operations in the region where much of the local residents once worked, more than ten percent of residents in the area will contract asbestos-related diseases in the future, in addition to the ten percent who have already contracted asbestos cancer and other diseases. Advocates for the residents believe the numbers affected by asbestos disease will prove to be much higher.
Hardie, which operated the asbestos mine from 1942 to 1979, was cited by the federal parliament in the 1984 for exposing mine workers to unlawful levels of asbestos. The entire community was also exposed through tailings deposited by the mining company on local roads, the school playground, and at other locations. More recently, Hardie had also excluded the people of Baryulgil from its $1.5 billion asbestos compensation package, but included them after The Australian reported that they were the only Australians who were left out. For the full story, go to theaustralian.news.com.au
