A town north of Perth, Wittenoom, is known as a major industrial\ndisaster site in Australia. Asbestos mining activities in the area have\ncaused approximately 4,000 deaths from diseases triggered by exposure to\nhazardous fibres.<\/p>\n
Due to severe health risks, the Western Australian government has\nclosed the town and demolished all remaining buildings. Access to the\nsite is strictly prohibited, with violators facing fines of up to\nAU$500.<\/p>\n
Melita Markey, Chief Executive of the Asbestos Disease Society of\nAustralia, warned that the effects of asbestos exposure are\nirreversible, emphasising the extreme danger of the area and the need\nfor the public to avoid it entirely.<\/p>\n
Surprisingly, despite knowing the town is toxic, a Queensland travel\nblogger recently visited the former asbestos mining site of Wittenoom\nwith her four-year-old daughter. The visit, recorded and uploaded to\nsocial media and her YouTube channel, drew criticism from health\nadvocates due to the lethal asbestos exposure risk.<\/p>\n
\u2018As a parent, as a mother, this sight is deeply saddening,\u2019 she said\nin response to the visit, according to ABC News, Sunday, 24 May\n2026.<\/p>\n
She stressed that even brief exposure to crocidolite, a highly\ndangerous blue asbestos fibre invisible to the naked eye, can be fatal.\nSeveral jockeys who attended races in Wittenoom only a few times have\nreportedly died from asbestos-related diseases, with the site being the\nsole known source of exposure.<\/p>\n
The asbestos mine closed in 1966, but the town continued operating\nfor decades. The school was shut in 1985, and horse racing events\npersisted until 1991.<\/p>\n
Markey also warned that there are Australian teenagers suffering from\nmesothelioma, a rare cancer directly linked to asbestos exposure.\nDespite continued tourist visits, the Western Australian government has\nstated it has no plans to increase patrols or security.<\/p>\n
The Department of Planning, Lands, and Heritage confirmed access\nremains banned and urged the public to heed warning signs for safety.\nWestern Australia Police expressed concerns that social media promotion\ncould encourage more visitors, stressing that Wittenoom is not a tourist\ndestination and the health risks are significant and permanent.\n\u2018Engaging in such activities exposes individuals to serious health risks\nassociated with asbestos contamination,\u2019 they said. \u2018Contamination in\nWittenoom is permanent, and the health risks are severe,\u2019 they\nadded.<\/p>\n
Risk Assessment<\/p>\n
The blogger, Ronelle Fotinis, admitted she was drawn to the unusual\nlocation, comparing Wittenoom to Australia\u2019s version of Chernobyl. She\nsaid she took precautions, such as staying inside the car, closing\nwindows, and setting the air conditioning to recirculate mode. \u2018I never\nleft the car. We didn\u2019t touch the ground or anything there,\u2019 she said.\nHowever, she later expressed regret, stating she should not have brought\nher daughter. Fotinis noted that access to the restricted area was\nrelatively easy and other vehicles were present at the time. She claimed\nnot to regret the visit but vowed not to return.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/asbestos-contamination-claims-4-000-lives-in-australian-town-1780353698", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }