Before last week I was completely unaware that toxins and mining go hand and hand. Well considering that I live basically in mining country, Nevada County, I am worried what I have been exposed to and what could possibly happen to my health. Fortunately I do not have kids yet, although, a lot of my friends do. This is a major concern in our area and should be looked into so everyone is aware about health hazards that it could cause. If communities are going to decide to mine they need to figure out a place to store or transport the toxins so they are not polluting living communities. However, is that even possible? Where is a there a piece of land that no species and humans could not be contaminated by the toxins? I believe that the worst thing for our community would be to re-open the Idaho Maryland mine that has been discussed for quite some time now. There is no for sure method that can guarantee that toxins will not pollute our area, therefore, until that is established the area should be cleaned up from the damage that has already been done.
By talking to many people in our community, most are unaware of the damage that mining has done and continuing to do. I think to gain most peoples attention about toxin damage, people would have to be hospitalized or worse, death. Personally I believe it doesn’t matter the level of toxicity of an area because if there is even a low level of toxins it still can effect the environment over a period of time. I am dumb founded on what we would do if we attempted to clean up mine waste. In all honesty I don’t believe there is anywhere on earth to store toxins that are created from mining. It doesn’t matter where the waist goes it is going to contaminate whatever area it is store. It’s an up hill battle. The only sure way to not add anymore toxins to our environment is to not mine. The only other option that we have is to find an alternative, more environmental friendly way to mine for gold, mercury, ect.
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I would have to say I agree completely. I'm all for not creating toxins to begin with. If we don't make them we don't have to worry about them right? I'm also all for environmentally friendly and technology based mining operations. We have the technology to do it I believe. Unfortunately until the greedy corporations decide to spend the money to do it right instead of doing it cheap nothing much will change anytime soon. :(
ReplyDeleteWell said. I agree too.
ReplyDeleteIf you or your readers want to join your voices with others of like mind, check out the petition against the mine at ...
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/stop-reopening-idahomaryland-goldmine
Kim I like what you said about community awareness which is a huge aspect that needs to be address in communities that are close or are even some what exposed to toxins left behind by mining. I couldn't help but think that as you said talking to people in your community, not many people are aware of toxins from mining. As you seem to be very concerned about your health and that of the community, you should tell everyone you know about the dangers of the toxins and how they can affect individual health. I know this is a daunting task, but by simply informing those around will and can in affect raise awareness throughout the community.
ReplyDeleteI too think that it is very scary that as of right now there really is no proper and safe way to clean up these area's. I completely agree with you about not storing the toxins in mines because simply we do not know the affect this could cause. For example, do those mines lead to underground water ways? Would they infiltrate into the soil which in turn taken up by plants, insects, and ground water? I think the only efficient way to get rid of the toxins left behind would be to create substances that would render those toxins harmless, although that might also pollute the environment even further.