Businessman, expert express concern about toxic dust
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“There will be nothing left of Markman if this continues.”
So says Precast concrete manufacturer Algoa Cement co-owner Chris Collett, who is one of several Nelson Mandela Bay businessmen expressing concern about the transport of manganese through Markman and the potential health and environmental hazard it poses.
Some businessmen in the area are already describing widespread respiratory problems among staff, resulting in calls for urgent testing to check for manganism, a debilitating nervous system disease caused by inhaling the toxic dust.
Much of the area has been reduced to a mangled ore-dust-laden mess since the manganese freight industry exploded in Markman during the first Covid-19 lockdown, which started in March 2020.
And, businesses in Markman say, the manganese operators seem to act with impunity and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality seems to have forgotten it is there to represent the residents and businesses of the Bay.
In Behind The Herald Headlines with Daron Mann this week, we speak to Collett and environmental chemist Ronelle Friend.
So says Precast concrete manufacturer Algoa Cement co-owner Chris Collett, who is one of several Nelson Mandela Bay businessmen expressing concern about the transport of manganese through Markman and the potential health and environmental hazard it poses.
Some businessmen in the area are already describing widespread respiratory problems among staff, resulting in calls for urgent testing to check for manganism, a debilitating nervous system disease caused by inhaling the toxic dust.
Much of the area has been reduced to a mangled ore-dust-laden mess since the manganese freight industry exploded in Markman during the first Covid-19 lockdown, which started in March 2020.
And, businesses in Markman say, the manganese operators seem to act with impunity and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality seems to have forgotten it is there to represent the residents and businesses of the Bay.
In Behind The Herald Headlines with Daron Mann this week, we speak to Collett and environmental chemist Ronelle Friend.
