TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Occupational health experts have stated that the generally held notion that mining causes fatal health problem to mines workers and nearby residents, is wrong, claiming that the iron ore mining does not pose risk to life like other unorganized metal mines.
The Indian Association of Occupational Health (IAOH) is committed to enable occupational health professionals to make India’s work places healthy, safe and green but the association categorized iron ore mining industry ashazardous. “Mining industry is definitely a hazardous industry. But the iron ore mining in Goa do not cause fatal occupational health problems,” Dr Sunil Kakodkar, former chairman IAOH, said while addressing media persons on Tuesday.
Kakodkar said that there have been proper studies to conclude that iron ore mining does not create lung problems as feared by few people.
“This has been proved after conducting proper research amongst those working in the mines and those living in the surrounding areas,” he added.
Dr Kakodkar stated adding that even if iron ore particles are inhaled the patient may not die. He said that there are some unorganized metal mines which might cause occupational health due to presence of silica content in the extracted product.
Dr Navnath Bhatikar, Chairman, Goa Chapter of IAOH, said that there are wrong notions spread that iron ore mining creates health issues like tuberculosis diseases amongst those living in the mining belt.
“There is not a single case of lung disease reported due to iron ore mining in the state,” he said.
He pointed out that people often ignore the fact that people living along the mining talukas are habituated to alcohol and smoking, which are in fact major cause of lung problems.
The ambient air monitoring stations installed along the mining belts had reportedly shown high population level till closer of mining industry in October 2012.
The villager and environmental experts are of the view that increasing air pollution due to mining is leading to several health problems including tuberculosis, skin infection, etc.
The occupation health experts have gathered in Goa to attend four-day long national conference on occupational health, beginning from February 11.
