The Jamaica Bauxite company has been dumping vast quantities of hazardous wastes in rivers and lakes of local communities. Agricultural lands and development is deteriorating and livestock could suffer adverse effects.
The need is now arising for clean and fresh water. Inadequate supply can have social and economic consequences. The island is dependent on export due to limited resources. However, they need to introduce better mining techniques which are harmless. The country’s land mass is limited and cannot accommodate the disposal of high volume waste material.
Human Effects
The effects of human activities is not restricted to air quality degradation. Massive dumping has caused extreme exposure to our communities, people and livestock. Researchers have determined these large consumption of toxic wastes may ultimately ending up in groundwater or surface water, where they may affect aquatic life and drinking water quality and pose a threat to aquatic wildlife.
With over 2 million people, and so much pollution, and no regulatory body, it is no wonder that the country’s safe water supply is progressively threatened. So far, no formal study has been conducted and the Jamaican authorities to identify contaminants in drinking that may adversely affect people’s health.
There is suggestive evidence after JBEO conducted extensive interviews with residents who have been affected by pollution, that breathing trace quantities of sulphuric and nitric formed in the environment from mining plants is injurious to human beings.
A recent study proved that exposure to airways in infants’ results in bronchial hyper-responsiveness. It also affects their respiratory health. Other adverse effects on humans are:
Lung disease
Asthma
Bone disease
Bronchitis
Dental complications
Cancer
Alzheimer’s disease
Degenerative Disease
Parkinson’s disease
Hypertension
Nervous problems
Cluster Migrane Headache
Preumonia
Loss of Sight
Since 2000, a new syndrome was recognized with patients suffering from heart disease. This symptom occurs with speech disorder and convulsions.
Pregnant women are warned not to consume medications that could harm their developing fetus. But what if small amounts of these toxins are present in drinking water? We may not be able to tolerate them for a short period of time, but that doesn't mean they won't hurt us - or developing fetuses or aquatic organisms – at higher concentrations or over a long period of time.”
Some citizens have visible holes on their bodies; excess dried skin, decayed tooth, fragile bones and rapid hair loss. Nothing is been done to help these victims of pollution and these are poor people who need financial and medical assistance.Water supply companies need to establish regulatory methods to test our water for contaminants and or levels of toxic.
Now, from the Jamaican Bauxite Environmental Organization comes Jamaica, Nuff Problems Man, a new documentary shedding more light on the harmful practices of the bauxite mining industry. We implore you to take notice. The problem of bauxite mining in Jamaica highlights the dangerous effects of what happens when greed overshadows the basic needs of human beings.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
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