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Barrick Gold poisoning was chemical not bacterial
posted on: Mar 25 2010 10:27 by Royston. Viewed 641 times.
The Academy of Science and the University of Santo Domingo (UASD) reported today that the massive health problems suffered recently by employees of the Canadian Barrick Gold mining company was not produced by bacterial infection as officials of the mining company had claimed, but was caused by chemical poisoning.
The president of the Academy of Science, Nelson Moreno Ceballos, offered the results of a study conducted by the Academy and the UASD, which recommended the suspension of the activities of the mining company until there is a chance to review and modify the contract.
"Symptoms such as watery, itchy eyes and nose, itching and muscle weakness in limbs and reports of strong, foul odors, is more highly correlated with chemical poisoning or gas inhalation and can not be linked to a bacterial infection.
He explained that the contract has clauses that creates closed areas and the research technicians had no access to the area where workers were affected.
The report further recommended that the State appoint a commission composed of the Ministry of Health, the Academy of Sciences and the UASD to complete the epidemiological study, including the implementation of a health survey for all concerned.
In fact, it was also announced yesterday that the facilities of Barrick Gold will be visited on Monday by members of the Health Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. In making the announcement, Victor Terrero, the committee chairman, said he did not seek to discredit the mining company, but the responsibility of legislators to the people comes first. He said that Congress has a duty to monitor the operations of the Canadian company after so rapidly approving the contract that allows it to operate on Dominican soil.
Ceballos said he also must determine the immigration status, employment, and access to social security of all employees at Barrick Gold, and in the conclusion of the report he notes that there are indications and evidence that those rights could be being violated.
He said the affected workers did not use their medical cards or other similar documents to be treated at health centers, but the company agreed to pay directly the cost of treatment "which makes one suspect that staff do not belong to any ARS or ARL.
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