Cancer and Industrial Pollution An ongoing investigation by the Socialist Equality Party

Return to Record of the Workers Inquiry The leukaemia victims The Illawarra Public Health Unit has now acknowledged that 14 young people have contracted leukaemia since 1989 in the suburbs of Cringila, Warrawong, Lake Heights and Berkeley, more than five times the state average. Of the 14 victims, all of whom lived or worked for years in close proximity to the BHP steelworks and the Southern Copper smelter in Port Kembla, seven have now died. They were: Samah Maarbani, who died in 1990, aged 19. Darren O'Dea, who died in 1992, aged 21. Jimmy Veljanovski, who died in June 1995, aged 19. Karin Peppoloni, who died in June 1995, aged 5. Goce Ilioski, who died in August 1996, aged 21. Bob Churton, who died on February 9, 1997, aged 42. Melissa Cristiano, who died on February 10, 1997, aged 20. Of these, four -- Samah, Jimmy, Goce and Melissa -- were students at Warrawong High and one -- Bob Churton -- was a teacher. The Health Unit is not examining Churton's death, on the grounds that he did not live in the area, even though he taught at the school for 10 years. It is reviewing the cases of five other young victims. They are David Hawthorne, 19, from Berkeley, Anthony Palma, 7, also from Berkeley, Suzana Silva, 33, from Warrawong, and another two unidentified victims. Two people in their 40s, also not identified publicly, were recently added to the Health Unit's list. Return to top of page......Return to Record of the Workers Inquiry