Jamaica: Pollution killing us, say communities near bauxite plants - Firms insist waste not toxic

[marmar]

from the Jamaica Observer, via CorpWatch:


JAMAICA: Dust, stench and claim of impotence: Pollution killing us, say communities near bauxite plants - Firms insist waste not toxic

by Karyl Walker, Jamaica Observer
February 11th, 2007




The approximately US$400 million earned by the bauxite sector last year means nothing to Sandra McLean and other residents of districts surrounding the Alumina Partners of Jamaica (Alpart) refinery in Nain, St Elizabeth.

McLean and her neighbours say they have to contend with wheezing children, contaminated water, dead crops and damaged garments, which they blame on pollution from the plant.

"You know how long mi have flu and it can't better? McLean asked. "The white acid from the plant a kill we slowly. Mi niece dem suffering from asthma, all four to five time a year them go a hospital."

McLean's cry was echoed by persons living in New Building, Myersville, Stephens Run, Punch Bowl and other districts close to the refinery.

"The pollution a kill we. The dust is a real problem for us who live near to the plant," said Lenford Bailey, a New Building farmer. "When you get up in the morning and see the white stuff pan you step, you wouldn't believe. The acid carry a stinking stench." ......(more)

The rest of the article is at: http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=14348

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Every type of fine dust has some disease associated with it. Shaver's disease ...

Bauxite pneumoconiosis, also known as Shaver's disease, corundum smelter's lung, bauxite lung or bauxite smelters' disease, is a progressive form of pneumoconiosis caused by exposure to bauxite fumes which contain aluminium and silica particulates. Initially, the disease appears as alveolitis, and then progresses to emphysema. Patients may develop pneumothorax (collapsed lung).

It is typically seen in workers involved in the smelting of bauxite to produce corundum

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaver%27s_disease

http://www.diseasesdatabase.com/links1.asp?glngUserChoice=472

[phantom power]

2. But what about *my* need for artificially-cheap alluminum?