Surge in diseases linked to mining<\/p>\n
BANJARMASIN: Thousands of residents of Satui subdistrict in
\nKotabaru regency, South Kalimantan are suffering from upper
\nrespiratory infection due to air pollution caused by a major coal
\nmining operation in the region.<\/p>\n
Medical workers have also found cases of hypertension and
\nmalaria, which they believe are related to the pollution.<\/p>\n
Data from the local community health center (Puskesmas)
\nrevealed that respiratory infections affected some 2,900 people
\nin 2000. That number dropped to 2,351 in 2001, but cases of
\nhypertension increased from 904 in 2000 to 1,141 the next year.<\/p>\n
The head of the health center, Daru Dewa, said that as of May,
\nthe number of people suffering from respiratory problems had
\nreached 251. He blamed the residents' poor health on the lack of
\nmeasures to maintain sanitary conditions in the mining field.<\/p>\n
Since mining started three years ago, nearly 1,900 trucks
\nloaded with coal have been operating in the area every day,
\npolluting the air.<\/p>\n
Coal mining contributes some Rp 32 billion per year to the
\nlocal government. --JP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/surge-in-diseases-linked-to-mining-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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