Research - Prevention of work-related illnesses among miners
Through the LAMPI Foundation I heard of the research work that Marinke Stassen is performing. She
is doing investigations on the exposure levels of various metals and other substances in the mines
of Colquechaca and Huanuni. As a (occupational) toxicologist, I was immediately interested in her
research. By means of a pause of about eight months of my work in the Netherlands, I hope to be
able to contribute a little bit in improving working and exposure conditions of miners in those two
mining centres.
The mining industry and environmental pollution
In Bolivia, about sixty thousand people are working in the mining industry. The mining industry fullfils
the international need of raw materials, such as tin, lead, zinc, lithium and silver.
is doing investigations on the exposure levels of various metals and other substances in the mines
of Colquechaca and Huanuni. As a (occupational) toxicologist, I was immediately interested in her
research. By means of a pause of about eight months of my work in the Netherlands, I hope to be
able to contribute a little bit in improving working and exposure conditions of miners in those two
mining centres.
The mining industry and environmental pollution
In Bolivia, about sixty thousand people are working in the mining industry. The mining industry fullfils
the international need of raw materials, such as tin, lead, zinc, lithium and silver.
about the health consequences of exposure to certain metals and other substances. Also, I
am supporting the miners in considering certain preventive measures, which are useful for
their specific working situation, and applicable without many costs. The Embassy of
Denmark and the Direction of Environment of Comibol, a Bolivian state mine company, are
facilitating my work.
Colquechaca
Of the three months that I am now in Bolivia, I mainly focussed on the mining centre in
Colquechaca. The most important metals that are extracted are tin, zinc, lead, and silver.
About three hundred miners, nearly all members of a mining cooperative, work under
relatively poor working conditions, i.e., working with hands, minimal use of preventive
measures to reduce exposure, and no supervision on safe and health work practices.
Meanwhile, the first steps in improving workingconditions are done. By means of
inspections, talks, and information meetings, the miners recognize the importance of good
working conditions for themselves and for their families, and have given their kind
cooperation to improve their working circumstances. The next two steps will focus on
making an inventory of possibilities to implement certain preventive measures, and on
carrying those out. In a next edition I will write more about the developments on this field.
am supporting the miners in considering certain preventive measures, which are useful for
their specific working situation, and applicable without many costs. The Embassy of
Denmark and the Direction of Environment of Comibol, a Bolivian state mine company, are
facilitating my work.
Colquechaca
Of the three months that I am now in Bolivia, I mainly focussed on the mining centre in
Colquechaca. The most important metals that are extracted are tin, zinc, lead, and silver.
About three hundred miners, nearly all members of a mining cooperative, work under
relatively poor working conditions, i.e., working with hands, minimal use of preventive
measures to reduce exposure, and no supervision on safe and health work practices.
Meanwhile, the first steps in improving workingconditions are done. By means of
inspections, talks, and information meetings, the miners recognize the importance of good
working conditions for themselves and for their families, and have given their kind
cooperation to improve their working circumstances. The next two steps will focus on
making an inventory of possibilities to implement certain preventive measures, and on
carrying those out. In a next edition I will write more about the developments on this field.
These raw materials are used for the production of for instance electronic household products, mobile phones, computers, and
cars. However, the mining industry has an other side: the dumping of large amounts of waste harms the environment, and
constitutes a hazard of the health of the local and regional population. It not only concerns waste of the metals itself, but also
solvents, such as salts of sulphates and cyanides, and naturally occurring substances that are automatically released in the air
during excavation, such as salts of arsenic and silicates (quartz).
Life expectancy of miners
The population at highest risk for developing mine-related illnesses is the miners themselves. For instance, daily exposure for
years to dust produced in the mines by hewing, drilling, sieving, and transporting extracted material, gives a high risk in
developing lung diseases, such as silicosis and stannosis. About thirty to forty percent of the miners will develop these kinds of
diseases, which are incurable. Other diseases reported among miners are anaemia, skin diseases and cancer. Together with
the presence of other risk factors, such as unsafe working places, and bad ventilation and climate control in the mines, it means
that the life expectancy of miners in Bolivia is about ten to fifteen years shorter than the average life expectancy of 65 years of the
general Bolivian population.
cars. However, the mining industry has an other side: the dumping of large amounts of waste harms the environment, and
constitutes a hazard of the health of the local and regional population. It not only concerns waste of the metals itself, but also
solvents, such as salts of sulphates and cyanides, and naturally occurring substances that are automatically released in the air
during excavation, such as salts of arsenic and silicates (quartz).
Life expectancy of miners
The population at highest risk for developing mine-related illnesses is the miners themselves. For instance, daily exposure for
years to dust produced in the mines by hewing, drilling, sieving, and transporting extracted material, gives a high risk in
developing lung diseases, such as silicosis and stannosis. About thirty to forty percent of the miners will develop these kinds of
diseases, which are incurable. Other diseases reported among miners are anaemia, skin diseases and cancer. Together with
the presence of other risk factors, such as unsafe working places, and bad ventilation and climate control in the mines, it means
that the life expectancy of miners in Bolivia is about ten to fifteen years shorter than the average life expectancy of 65 years of the
general Bolivian population.
Prevention
The only solution to reduce the risk of health damage of miners, is taking a
series of measures that will lower or even prevent exposure in the mines.
Examples are: keeping wet of the rock, thus preventing the spread of dust in the
air; personal preventive measures (e.g., wearing masks and protective gloves),
and personal hygiene (e.g., shower facilities); and, giving good advice and
education. Unfortunately, Bolivia has insufficient knowledge and expertise to
perform work place analyses, and then to implement the measures needed.
Also there is a lack of supervision, and no regular controls are performed. The
knowledge and expertise on occupational safety and health is however present
in Western countries, such as the Netherlands. Since in the Netherlands I am
working in the field of occupational toxicology, my task is to inform the miners
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