The forces of change that led to a decrease in occupational hazards in the mining sector
What is it about?
Sudbury has been known internationally as the most polluted city in the world. Over 40 years, the pollution from mining has decreased. Although the mine workers still have the legacy of high cancer rates from their past exposures, present day mining is much less treacherous. The changes have occurred through a combination of forces such as globalization, automation, legislative and regulatory change, and the economic climate. But the changes have also been the work of the unions and industry who became aware of occupational diseases like cancer and fought for political and regulatory changes.
Why is it important?
Using a model such as Sudbury, other very polluted industrial towns and cities can learn lessons from this mining-town's experience and can reduce their occupational and environmental pollution.