#Wittendoom
At Reflections, we are passionate about reducing the ongoing impact of asbestos.
This extends not only to sufferers of asbestos-related disease but also to increasing awareness of the ongoing risk to help prevent future exposure.
Western Australia has the highest recorded rates of mesothelioma in the world and, likely, the most in situ asbestos of all the Australian states. Our history with asbestos has left a devastating legacy.
Wittenoom, the small town established to service the blue asbestos mine owned and operated by CSR Limited from the early 1940s until 1966 has seen a resurgence in its popularity since COVID19 has forced Western Australian’s to holiday in their own backyard.
The mine may have closed more than 50 years ago with Australian Blue Asbestos Pty Limited‘s workforce long gone but it is now not only past miners at risk of developing asbestos diseases. Tourists visiting the town and mine are putting themselves at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease, including mesothelioma, the terminal asbestos cancer.
There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos.
This is particularly the case as blue asbestos, also known as crocidolite, is the most dangerous asbestos fibres owing to its physical properties making it easier to work its way into the lung.
In an Instagram era where it is all about capturing something unique to post on social media, it is important to remember IT IS NOT WORTH STOPPING IN THE DEGAZETTED TOWN OF WITTENOOM to capture images you can upload with labels such as #wittenoom #wittenoomgorge #lungdisease #asbestos #ghosttown #mesothelioma #cancercountry and #wittendoom.
Such a visit to the former town may be fatal.
Alana Main
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