Concerned citizens listen to the speakers at the informational meeting in Nacozari, Sonora (Photo provided by Denise Moreno)

Attendees reading the Mine Tailings and Dust information sheets distributed in Nacozari, Sonora (Photo provided by Denise Moreno)

Community Information: 

How can dust affect your health?

Dust particles can block the defense mechanisms of the upper respiratory system and alveoli, this is dependent on the concentration or amount of dust in the air, length of exposure and the physical characteristics of the dust particles. The most susceptible people are those afflicted with a chronic respiratory illness (i.e. asthma or bronchitis), small children whose immune system are not yet fully developed and the elderly because their immune system can be compromised. When people breathe dust, it can be accumulated in the respiratory tract and cause persistent cough, increase the possibility of respiratory infections or aggravating problems like asthma and bronchitis.   

 

How can you avoid breathing dust from the mine tailings?

• Prevent children from playing in the tailings, caves and areas surrounding the mine tailings.
• Stop using the mine tailings as a race track for automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles or to exercise.   
• Wash your hands immediately after playing with soil from the backyards from homes and before eating.
• Cover your mouth and nose (use masks) if you need to be outside when it is windy.
• Close doors and windows when it is very windy.
• Close doors and windows when it is very windy .
• Grow trees in backyards and front yards; they that can serve as wind barriers.

Citizens participating in dialogue at the informational meeting in Nacozari, Sonora (Photo provided by Denise Moreno)

Citizens Participation:

The establishment of a citizen committee for the purpose of maintaining, supervising and developing the mine tailing site, which is currently used for recreation, makes it a safer place and gives the community ownership.  Those interested in being part of this committee can get more information by contacting Denise Moreno Ramirez.

Project Contacts:

Mary Carrazco, M.A. University of Sonora Department of Social Sciences mcarrazco@sociales.uson.mx	Andrea Zavala Reyna, M.S. University of Sonora Department of Industrial Engineering azavala@dicym.uson.mx
Denise Moreno Ramirez, M.S. The University of Arizona Community Coordinator dmoreno@pharmacy.arizona.edu	Narciso Navarro Gomez, B.A. University of Sonora Community Coordinator cacius@extension.uson.mx