But that notoriety has become a tourist drawcard for the toxic ex-asbestos mining town of Wittenoom, deep in Western Australia's remote Pilbara region.
More than 2,000 deaths have been linked to the mining activity at Wittenoom and the whole town is a declared contaminated site.
I lived in the Pilbara from 79 to 81 and people were well aware of the danger that Wittenoom posed even back then but plenty still went out there for a look around. In those days there were a few old residents still living in town who had decided to stay regardless of the risk it posed to their health. The only thing that has probably changed in that time is the huge number of tourists that are now runnng around in that part of the world. If this is such a risk to public health why doesnt the WA government restrict access into the old town by closing the roads it might not stop the most determined from getting in but it would probably deter most of them. Just putting up signs and advising people that they shouldnt go there due to the aspestos risk apparently hasnt had the desired effect.
BB
-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Sunday 19th of August 2018 08:59:25 AM
kiwijims said
01:04 PM Aug 19, 2018
I agree with what you say BB, the govt should do a lot more to deter anyone from entering that town,
What's worse, there are organised tours now available to the Idiots who want to go and see the area,
I wonder if there is a clause printed on the tour tickets, stating that people enter at their own risk ???
I bet the Govt will still have their hands out for their share of GST from the tour operators.
K.J.
Weevil said
05:49 PM Sep 30, 2018
I went there over 30 years ago, the town was still being lived in by some and the caravan park was open. A kiosk was also operating selling of all things Barrumundi burgers. The pub was closed. A 4WD tour of the gorges was operating from town at the time also. The roads in the area including the housing and caravan park were covered in asbestos tailings. The mine gates were open but the mine was not operating as far as I know.
Mike Harding said
11:37 AM Oct 1, 2018
Think I'll do the bus tour of Damascus instead.
Santa said
09:16 AM Oct 3, 2018
Grey Nomads have little to fear from asbestos exposure, asbestos related diseases take decades to develop, something else will get you before Mesothelioma.
-- Edited by Santa on Wednesday 3rd of October 2018 09:18:09 AM
jules47 said
10:13 PM Oct 9, 2018
Weevil, must have been about the time we went. Lady in one store raved about the town.
Weevil said
08:32 PM Oct 11, 2018
jules47 wrote:
Weevil, must have been about the time we went. Lady in one store raved about the town.
Probably Jules, the gates to the mine were wide open when I went there, I drove in but there didn't seem to be anyone around, drove in and drove out again. The caravan park was running and the ground was covered with asbestos fibres to keep the dust down. A willy willy came through and paused over my tent, sucking it up and straining at the pegs, I had to dive into it to save it from taking off. asbestos dust everywhere.
Santa: Thanks for link, appreciated.
Tony Bev said
12:20 AM Oct 12, 2018
I knew people who worked at that mine, or lived in that area, who caught asbestosis
I also had a family member who lived in Kalgoorlie, and then Perth
He also caught asbestosis, not sure how or why, perhaps renovating old houses, it is not a pleasant time at the end
I for one, shall be keeping well away, from Wittenoom
kiwijims said
05:10 AM Oct 12, 2018
I was one of the lucky ones, that is, I never contracted asbestosis while working in the area ( "strike me " )
that was 45 years ago, I do recall seeing the glitter of the fibres sticking out of rocks and soil on the side off the trench as I operated a Backhoe,
It struck me as rather funny that, many years after I quit that job and moved overseas, with a time gap of almost 10 years, I received a letter from that company, stating that they acknowledged the fact that I worked in the area at that time, but no other explanation was offered why they stated that ???
Now today, with all the confirmed deaths from asbestosis, I think I may know the answer, probably cheaper to admit guilt and offer some compensation, to a person who has more than likely already died !!!
K.J.
PeterD said
08:39 AM Oct 12, 2018
Santa wrote:
Grey Nomads have little to fear from asbestos exposure, asbestos related diseases take decades to develop, something else will get you before Mesothelioma.
I get the following message from that link, Do others get the same messsage?
Sorry! Can't find it. The page you were looking for can't be found. We're constantly updating our website and it may have been moved or removed.
Dickodownunder said
09:02 AM Oct 12, 2018
Yes, same hear PeterD and I did a search for asbestosis on the home page without a result there either.
Santa said
09:15 AM Oct 12, 2018
PeterD wrote:
Santa wrote:
Grey Nomads have little to fear from asbestos exposure, asbestos related diseases take decades to develop, something else will get you before Mesothelioma.
Tourists warned over visiting asbestos-riddled Wittenoom, Australia's most dangerous ghost town
It has been described as one of the most dangerous and contaminated places on the planet.
But that notoriety has become a tourist drawcard for the toxic ex-asbestos mining town of Wittenoom, deep in Western Australia's remote Pilbara region.
More than 2,000 deaths have been linked to the mining activity at Wittenoom and the whole town is a declared contaminated site.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-12/australias-deadliest-ghost-town-wittenoom-a-tourist-hotspot/9987328
K.J.
I lived in the Pilbara from 79 to 81 and people were well aware of the danger that Wittenoom posed even back then but plenty still went out there for a look around. In those days there were a few old residents still living in town who had decided to stay regardless of the risk it posed to their health. The only thing that has probably changed in that time is the huge number of tourists that are now runnng around in that part of the world. If this is such a risk to public health why doesnt the WA government restrict access into the old town by closing the roads it might not stop the most determined from getting in but it would probably deter most of them. Just putting up signs and advising people that they shouldnt go there due to the aspestos risk apparently hasnt had the desired effect.
BB
-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Sunday 19th of August 2018 08:59:25 AM
I agree with what you say BB, the govt should do a lot more to deter anyone from entering that town,
What's worse, there are organised tours now available to the Idiots who want to go and see the area,
I wonder if there is a clause printed on the tour tickets, stating that people enter at their own risk ???
I bet the Govt will still have their hands out for their share of GST from the tour operators.
K.J.
Grey Nomads have little to fear from asbestos exposure, asbestos related diseases take decades to develop, something else will get you before Mesothelioma.
Some info here that may be of interest https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/422267/2691.pdf
-- Edited by Santa on Wednesday 3rd of October 2018 09:18:09 AM
Probably Jules, the gates to the mine were wide open when I went there, I drove in but there didn't seem to be anyone around, drove in and drove out again. The caravan park was running and the ground was covered with asbestos fibres to keep the dust down. A willy willy came through and paused over my tent, sucking it up and straining at the pegs, I had to dive into it to save it from taking off. asbestos dust everywhere.
Santa: Thanks for link, appreciated.
I also had a family member who lived in Kalgoorlie, and then Perth
He also caught asbestosis, not sure how or why, perhaps renovating old houses, it is not a pleasant time at the end
I for one, shall be keeping well away, from Wittenoom
I was one of the lucky ones, that is, I never contracted asbestosis while working in the area ( "strike me " )
that was 45 years ago, I do recall seeing the glitter of the fibres sticking out of rocks and soil on the side off the trench as I operated a Backhoe,
It struck me as rather funny that, many years after I quit that job and moved overseas, with a time gap of almost 10 years, I received a letter from that company, stating that they acknowledged the fact that I worked in the area at that time, but no other explanation was offered why they stated that ???
Now today, with all the confirmed deaths from asbestosis, I think I may know the answer, probably cheaper to admit guilt and offer some compensation, to a person who has more than likely already died !!!
K.J.
I get the following message from that link, Do others get the same messsage?
Your right Peter, there is a problem with the link, worked when I posted it, will try again.
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/422267/2691.pdf
Seems to be working now.
-- Edited by Santa on Friday 12th of October 2018 09:16:28 AM
Thank you, quite informative.
Good stuff