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To raise awareness that the danger of asbestos exposure is not something of the past, and to inform potential sufferers of life-threatening illnesses following exposure to this fibrous silicate mineral, St Cyprian’s Cathedral in Kimberley was lit up in blue on Friday evening, 4 July.
“There is never any safe level of exposure to asbestos,” says Tracey Wood of the Glynnis Gale Foundation. She and Paul Wood of Enviro Investigations, both permanently based in Kimberley for over three years, led the symbolic lighting of the cathedral. The day marked Action Mesothelioma Day in South Africa and several other countries to commemorate victims of mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases, and to raise awareness. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibres.
South Africa was once one of the world’s leading producers of asbestos, with extensive mining operations in communities such as Prieska and Kuruman in the Northern Cape, as well as Pomfret in the Northwest Province, and Penge in Limpopo.
The asbestos mining industry brought significant profits to companies and foreign markets. Although the last asbestos mines in South Africa ceased production in 2001, and the use of all types of asbestos was banned by 2008, it has left a deadly trail. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases have claimed the lives of thousands of people across South Africa. People continue to suffer from asbestos exposure – long after mining production ceased.
One study found that the Northern Cape had the highest number of mesothelioma deaths, and experts believe that cases in South Africa are grossly underreported.
In some cases, a latency period of 20 to 40 years has been reported, and the average age at diagnosis is 63 years. Those exposed to asbestos at a young age are most likely to develop mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma results in a cancerous tumour in the mesothelium, a membrane that protects the lungs, heart, and abdominal cavity. There are three types of mesothelioma: pleural mesothelioma, which is by far the most common and develops in the lining of the lungs; peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the inside of the abdominal cavity; and pericardial mesothelioma, which develops in the inside of the heart.
According to survivingmesothelioma.com, mesothelioma is most often malignant.
South Africa used to be the third largest asbestos producer globally
Tracey Wood says that misdiagnoses are often made due to the prevalence of diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), HIV and Aids. Moreover, it is not just former asbestos miners who are and were affected by asbestos exposure. Their families and other community members who lived in the mining environment were also affected.
In the 1970s, South Africa was the third largest asbestos producer in the world, after Canada and Russia, according to asbestos.com. The asbestos mining industry in South Africa peaked in 1977, when it employed 20 000 miners and achieved a production of 380 000 tons. Exports began to decline shortly thereafter due to evidence that the use of asbestos poses serious health complications. This prompted countries around the world to introduce restrictive legislation regarding asbestos use.
Even though the use of all types of asbestos has been banned in South Africa, this once profitable industry has left the environment in which it was mined polluted. Some of the approximately 600 asbestos mines in South Africa have not been properly rehabilitated after closure, with resulting health hazards. Some of these mines were small-scale and apparently privately operated. The risk of asbestos exposure therefore continues to threaten the well-being of communities in South Africa.
“We light up St Cyprian’s Cathedral to say: These lives mattered, and we still have work to do.”
Tracey Wood
Awareness raised on persisting dangers of asbestos exposure
The Glynnis Gale Foundation, a non-profit organisation, is named after Glynnis de Klerk, who lost her life to mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos in her makeup. The foundation works for justice, raises awareness about the ongoing dangers of asbestos exposure, and supports those affected by asbestos-related diseases.
Improving the quality of information on this subject, and improving the level of expertise in mesothelioma diagnosis, treatment and care within the healthcare community, is another goal of the foundation.
The foundation aims to inform more people about the dangers of asbestos exposure through awareness and education, and to help more cases of mesothelioma be detected earlier.
Legal claims for compensation supported
Enviro Investigations plays a vital role on behalf of asbestos victims by supporting legal claims for compensation. Focusing on communities in the Northern Cape, the firm continually discovers and documents the presence of asbestos contamination – from mine waste and landfill sites to deteriorating infrastructure still found in homes, schools and public areas.
The firm also assists individuals and families in pursuing legal claims related to asbestos exposure, working closely with claimants, legal teams and medical experts. In 2023, Enviro Investigations secured the largest settlement ever for a claimant.
This work not only exposes the ongoing risks posed by South Africa’s asbestos legacy, but also empowers victims to seek accountability and compensation for the harm they have suffered.
“For too long, the communities affected by South Africa’s asbestos legacy have been ignored. We work to uncover the truth, support victims in their fight for justice, and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
“Action Meso Day is a reminder that behind every claim is a human story, and we will not stop until those stories are heard and responded to.”
Paul Wood
Contact the foundation or the company by calling the Kimberley office on 053 285 0671, or write to info@ggfoundation.co.za or paul@enviroinvestigations.co.za.
Alternatively, visit ggfoundation.co.za and enviroinvestigations.co.za. Also follow the Glynnis Gale Foundation on Facebook.
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