Editor:
At a check-up appointment recently, I mentioned to my physician that my eyes are dry, gritty-feeling and irritable; my throat is similar, and I often experience what I consider more-than-normal thirst plus some loss of energy and a shortness of breath. Blood tests, however, showed nothing that would account for this.
In the chit-chat leave-taking part of the visit, I mentioned the annoyance of excessive cleaning related to the significant dust accumulations every day on my deck, in my home and on my car. My doctor then asked specific questions about the source. The dust, in my opinion, comes from the gravel mine and has increased from barely noticeable to oppressive in the seven years I have lived in my current situation. Regularly on dry days I observe monstrous clouds of dust as trucks race across roads on the bare mine hillsides.
I questioned the doctor about health ramifications of breathing such levels of dust 24/7. She said, "Lungs don't appreciate it," as proven by health difficulties associated with coal miners, etc. And she said she would heartily support studies to determine dust levels and their impact on local health.
Therefore, I encourage all concerned Coast residents to speak with your physicians and your local and/or provincial governments. Our children are counting on us to safeguard a healthy environment.
Nina Haedrich, Sechelt
