Potential Health Impacts of Bauxite Mining in Kuantan
- Author:
Noor Hisham Abdullah
;
Norlen Mohamed
;
Lokman Hakim Sulaiman
;
Thahirahtul Asma Zakaria
;
Daud Abdul Rahim
- Publication Type:Editorial
- Keywords:
health impact;
bauxite;
mining;
environmental pollution;
disease;
Malaysia
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
2016;23(3):1-8
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Bauxite mining is not known to most Malaysian except recently due to environmental pollution
issues in Kuantan, Pahang. Potential impacts are expected to go beyond physical environment and
physical illness if the situation is not controlled. Loss of economic potentials, and the presence
of unpleasant red dust causing mental distress, anger and community outrage. More studies are
needed to associate it with chronic physical illness. While evidences are vital for action, merely
waiting for a disease to occur is a sign of failure in prevention. All responsible agencies should focus
on a wider aspect of health determinants rather than merely on the occurrence of diseases to act and
the need to emphasize on sustainable mining to ensure health of people is not compromised.
- Full text:P020160518614910246475.pdf
