Kurnool: Abandoned asbestos mines in the Pulivendula area of Kadapa district have become a challenge to the Pollution Control Board. While the PCB officials raise red flags over the deleterious effect of abandoned asbestos mines on the health of people, the mine owners are fighting the case in the National Green Tribunal. But the people of Pulivendula, due to proximate exposure to these abandoned mines, are reporting issues of lung cancer and various other pulmonary diseases. Kurnool Government General Hospital receives at least 200 cancer patients regularly.
“The hospital has sent proposals to start a separate cancer ward with ultra-modern facilities,” said the hospital superintendent. Pollution Control Board zonal officer Rajinder Reddy said asbestos mines had to be closed as per scientific protocol.
