Former mining town Wittenoon in Western Australia is finally being shut down by the West Australian government. It was known as a “mesothelioma hotspot” as more than two thousand of its residents have died from mesothelioma or some other asbestos related disease. While mesothelioma compensation is available in Australia, a treatment for the deadly disease is not.
Throughout the 1950s, Wittenoom attracted thousands of mine workers and their families to its asbestos mine.
Although the asbestos mine was closed in 1966, the deadly legacy of this mine is still perpetuating within the society. Over the past couple of months, the rate of residents contacting mesothelioma was steadily increasing.
Today, final steps are being taken by the West Australian Government to shut down the town of Wittenoom altogether. The Department of Regional Development and Lands will then commence the removal of asbestos. Plans have been made to demolish all building constructions and mining equipment, or any other remains that may have been contaminated by asbestos. The government also plans to re-route the main road away from the toxic town.
Asbestos releases fine particles of dust containing asbestos fibres. The inhalation of asbestos fibres can subsequently lead to asbestos related diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
In Australia mesothelioma compensation (or asbestos compensation, or asbestosis compensation) is available to those who unfortunately do contract mesothelioma. Asbestos compensation in West Australia is unfortunately a regular occurrence due to the devastating effects of Wittenoon exposure and other asbestos exposure in West Australia.
