Cancer inquiry presents findings

Cancer inquiry presents findings

By Alex Bainbridge

NEWCASTLE — Fifty people attended a public meeting here on November 8 called to discuss cancer and industrial pollution. Findings were presented from the Workers' Inquiry into Wollongong Leukaemia and Cancer Crisis.

The inquiry found that there was a direct link between cancer and the industrial contamination of air, soil and water by BHP and other major companies in the region.

"The staggering number of leukaemia and lymphoma deaths among former Warrawong High School students since 1989 is not a mysterious coincidence but part of a wider pattern of cancers and ill-health throughout the Wollongong area", the report says.

The inquiry commissioners also criticised the Illawarra Public Health Unit, the Carr Labor government and ALP-aligned trade union leaders for an "official cover-up".

Key evidence considered by the inquiry was the register of cancer diagnoses linked to postcode area supplied by NSW Cancer Council for the period 1972-94.

The Newcastle meeting heard that the corresponding figures here indicate that the leukaemia rate is around double that of Wollongong — 8 per 1000 in the area immediately surrounding the BHP smokestacks, with lesser peaks around other industries in the region.

From GLW issue 298