Photos Expose Hazardous Visits to Asbestos Town Continue

Recent photos document what appears to be an unauthorized visit to a former asbestos mining town. The Facebook photos show Dale Hawkins exploring old mine shafts in Wittenoom, Australia where toxic blue asbestos was mined several decades ago. Hawkins claims the pictures were from a trip in 2021, before it was officially illegal to enter the town.  Hawkins’ first-person perspective images show ghost-town remains of the western Australia town about 880 miles north of Perth. The contamination was so severe, Wittenoom was removed from maps and road signs in an attempt to keep people away.  The Western Australian Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage says unauthorized visits to Wittenoom can lead to prosecution. The Wittenoom Closure Bill became law in March 2022.  Tourists have been warned to stay away from Wittenoom for years. More than 2,000 Wittenoom residents and former mine workers have died from mesothelioma. Asbestos is the primary cause of this malignant cancer.  The Australian agency released a statement that read in part: “If someone is found to be accessing or camping in areas they have been advised against, including the former mine, action can be taken by the Department. We cannot be any clearer, it is not safe to visit Wittenoom at any time due to asbestos contamination.” Unauthorized Visit to Wittenoom While Hawkins wore personal protective equipment during his exploration, Hawkins admits he thought the risk ...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Asbestos (general) Asbestos Exposure International Mesothelioma Source Type: news