Health should come before opencast profit in Douglas
THE possible connection between opencast mining and ill health stirred heated debate at a packed public meeting in Douglas.
Retired GP Dr Dick van Steenis, who has studied the effects of opencast mining for the past 14 years, gave a presentation on his findings.
Dr van Steenis also fielded questions from the audience in the St Brides Centre.
His findings on the effects of opencast mining come from research into air pollution and particles.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr van Steenis said: "The Supreme Court in America has already fined companies. The court says that public health comes before public profit.
"In terms of opencasting, research has shown that one bulldozer puts out the same number of dangerous particles as 900 Volvo cars. This is because of the diesel that it uses."
Some of the health issues associated with inhaling particles from opencast mines include asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), high blood pressure, cancers and kidney disease.
Dr van Steenis told members of the public that the council should be buying filters for residents' homes.
He added: "If the coal is needed then I suggest the council re-house you somewhere. The polluter must pay and pay for the massive NHS bills or build a new village — then mine the area."
Local GP Dr Robert Flowerdew believes that Scottish Coal and South Lanarkshire Council should measure particle pollution in the area.
He added: "The statistics are skewed enough to investigate but people in Douglas are not going to drop dead overnight.
"However, Scottish Coal and the council should take some responsibility for the pollution in the valley."
For more information on this story, pick up a copy of this week's Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.
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Weather for Lanark
Saturday 04 February 2012
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