[Taki Onqoy: mercury poisoning epidemic in 16TH century Huamanga]. / Taki Onqoy: epidemia de intoxicación por exposición al mercurio en Huamanga del siglo XVI.

Taki Onqoy is a syndrome that corresponds to the poisoning from exposure to mercury. It appeared as a result of the exploitation of the mercury mines of Paras and Huancavelica in Peru during the 16th century. The Cachexia mercurial, the last stage of the disease, would be associated with the idea of pishtaco. The Taki Onqoy in 16th-century Peru represents the largest epidemic of mercury poisoning known to humanity.

Taki Onqoy es un síndrome que corresponde a la intoxicación por exposición al mercurio. Apareció como consecuencia de la explotación de las minas de mercurio de Paras y Huancavelica en el Perú durante el siglo XVI. La caquexia mercurial, última etapa de la enfermedad, estaría asociada a la idea del pishtaco. El Taki Onqoy en el Perú del siglo XVI, representa la mayor epidemia por intoxicación por mercurio conocida por la humanidad.

Minas contada em números - A capitania de Minas Gerais e as fontes demográficas (1776-1821) / Minas counted in number: Capitania of Minas Gerais and the Demographic sources (1776-1821) / Minas contada en números: la capitanía de Minas Gerais y las fuentes demográficas (1776-1821)

Os "mapas da população" produzidos a partir da década de 1770 contribuem para a análise de um período da história de Minas Gerais que foi particularmente importante pelas mudanças vivenciadas em âmbitos muito diversos. Tendo por base as informações destes documentos, o presente artigo analisa as transformações na economia mineira, assim como a redefinição daquela sociedade em um período no qual Minas Gerais ganha um novo perfil, mas mantém seu papel fundamental nas dinâmicas do centro-sul da América portuguesa.

The "population tables" available since the 1770's shed new light on a period in the history of Minas Gerais which was particularly important for the transformations experienced in very different fields. Based on information gathered in these documents, this paper focuses on the transformations of Minas Gerais' economy as well as the redefinition of that society in a period 548 R. bras. Est. Pop., Belo Horizonte, v.34, n.3, p.529-548, set./dez. 2017 Stumpf, R.G. Minas contada em números in which captaincy gains a new profile, yet maintaining its fundamental role in the dynamics of the center-south of Portuguese America.

Los "mapas de población" producidos a partir de la década del setenta del siglo XVIII contribuyen al análisis de un período de la historia de Minas Gerais que fue especialmente importante por todos los cambios experimentados en ámbitos muy diferentes. Con base en los datos que proporcionan estos documentos, el presente artículo analiza las transformaciones en la economía minera y la redefinición de aquella sociedad en un período en el cual Minas Gerais gana un nuevo perfil, al mismo tiempo que mantiene su papel fundamental en las dinámicas centro-sur de la América portuguesa.

Taki Onqoy: epidemia de intoxicación por exposición al mercurio en Huamanga del siglo XVI / Taki Onqoy: mercury poisoning epidemic in 16TH century Huamanga

RESUMEN Taki Onqoy es un síndrome que corresponde a la intoxicación por exposición al mercurio. Apareció como consecuencia de la explotación de las minas de mercurio de Paras y Huancavelica en el Perú durante el siglo XVI. La caquexia mercurial, última etapa de la enfermedad, estaría asociada a la idea del pishtaco. El Taki Onqoy en el Perú del siglo XVI, representa la mayor epidemia por intoxicación por mercurio conocida por la humanidad.

ABSTRACT Taki Onqoy is a syndrome that corresponds to the poisoning from exposure to mercury. It appeared as a result of the exploitation of the mercury mines of Paras and Huancavelica in Peru during the 16th century. The Cachexia mercurial, the last stage of the disease, would be associated with the idea of pishtaco. The Taki Onqoy in 16th-century Peru represents the largest epidemic of mercury poisoning known to humanity.

Gregorius Agricola memorial lecture: Lung cancer-A work-related disease for 500 years, as predicted by Agricola.

In the early 16th century Gregorius Agricola reported on Bergsucht (miner's consumption) in mine workers in the Erzgebirge. About 350 years later, Härting and Hesse reported on large numbers of lung cancers among the mine-workers in the same mine district, thus confirming that Bergsucht primarily was lung cancer, but could also have been pnumoconiosis or tuberculosis or a combination of both. Mining for bismuth continued another 75 years--through World War II. Bismuth mining was replaced by large scale uranium mining from the late 1940 through 1989, employing some 400-450,000 workers, resulting in the major local epidemic of work-related cancer larger than anywhere in the world, so far amounting to ± 14-15,000 cases. Had the mine developers listened to the warnings by Agricola and Härting and Hesse, the epidemic could have been prevented.

Minério de ferro, geologia econômica e redes de experts entre Wisconsin e Minas Gerais, 1881-1914 / Iron ore, economic geology and networks of experts between Wisconsin and the state of Minas Gerais, 1881-1914

O presente artigo trata da “descoberta” do minério de ferro brasileiro a partir de duas perspectivas. A primeira analisa a crescente ênfase das geociências em sua aplicação prática e em sua globalidade desde a segunda metade do século XIX. Enquanto no Brasil a geologia econômica foi integrada passo a passo às instituições do Estado, no nível global ela viveu momento de triunfo com o 11 o Congresso Geológico Internacional, em 1910. A segunda trata de uma rede social específica com papel decisivo na corrida pelo minério de ferro brasileiro: experts transnacionais movimentandose entre as lógicas do mercado e as da academia. O artigo mostra a importância das negociações locais na incorporação do subsolo mineiro ao espaço global de mineração.

This article deals with the “discovery” of Brazilian iron ore from two perspectives. The first examines the increasing emphasis of the geosciences and their practical application and global reach since the second half of the nineteenth century. While in Brazil economic geology was integrated step by step into state institutions, at the global level it experienced its moment of triumph with the 11th International Geological Congress in 1910. The second deals with a specific social network with a decisive role in the race for Brazilian iron ore: with transnational experts juggling between the logic of the market and that of the academy. The article reveals the importance of local negotiations in the incorporation of the subsoil of Minas Gerais into the global space of mining.

Ernst Hasenclever em Gongo-Soco: exploração inglesa nas minas de ouro em Minas Gerais no século XIX / Ernst Hasenclever in Gongo-Soco: English exploitation of the gold mines in the state of Minas Gerais in the nineteenth century

A partir do relato de Ernst Hasenclever sobre sua visita à mina de ouro de Gongo-Soco em 1839, o artigo procura compreender o sistema organizacional administrativo e de trabalho implementado pelas empresas inglesas de mineração de ouro em Minas Gerais, sobretudo na segunda metade do século XIX, período no qual o sistema escravista caminhava para seu final. Nosso objetivo é mostrar a continuidade do sistema administrativo e do uso da mão de obra escrava pelas empresas de capital inglês a partir da década de 1830 até o final do século, apesar da pressão exercida pela Inglaterra contra o tráfico transatlântico de escravos e da proibição aos súditos de sua majestade de possuir escravos em qualquer parte do mundo.

Based on the report of Ernst Hasenclever on his visit to the Gong-Soco gold mine in 1839, this article seeks to understand the labor and administrative organizational system implemented by the English gold mining companies in Minas Gerais, especially in the second half of the nineteenth century at a time when the slave-based system was in its final stages. Our objective is to show the continuity of the administrative system and the use of slave labor by the English companies from the 1830s until the end of the century, despite the pressure applied by England against the transatlantic slave trade and the prohibition of Her Majesty’s subjects to own slaves anywhere in the world.

[Iron ore, economic geology and networks of experts between Wisconsin and the state of Minas Gerais, 1881-1914]. / Minério de ferro, geologia econômica e redes de experts entre Wisconsin e Minas Gerais, 1881-1914.

This article deals with the "discovery" of Brazilian iron ore from two perspectives. The first examines the increasing emphasis of the geosciences and their practical application and global reach since the second half of the nineteenth century. While in Brazil economic geology was integrated step by step into state institutions, at the global level it experienced its moment of triumph with the 11th International Geological Congress in 1910. The second deals with a specific social network with a decisive role in the race for Brazilian iron ore: with transnational experts juggling between the logic of the market and that of the academy. The article reveals the importance of local negotiations in the incorporation of the subsoil of Minas Gerais into the global space of mining.

Mercury and gold mining in Colombia: a failed state / Colombia minera y uso de mercurio: un estado fallido

Identificar y analizar las causas y consecuencias que están generando altos niveles de consumo de mercurio en la actividad aurífera es una prioridad internacional. Con el fin de hacer un diagnóstico de la actividad minera aurífera y del uso excesivo de mercurio en Colombia se usaron seis fuentes de información (entrevistas semi-estructuradas y censo minero 2011), nueve variables dependientes y 21 independientes. El 87% de las minas auríferas del país no tenían título minero y sólo el 3% contaba con licencia ambiental. Se evidenció que los mineros prefieren el uso del mercurio para el beneficio del oro por ser un método fácil, rápido y económico. Las causas de los altos niveles de consumo de mercurio en la actividad aurífera identificados fueron: la alta ilegalidad minera y ambiental, el fracaso de los programas de formalización y la falta de control sobre las importaciones del insumo. Los estudios evidenciaron concentraciones de mercurio por encima de los límites permitidos. Ante esta situación el Gobierno se ha inclinado por una política de persecución a la actividad en lugar de fomentar su formalización...

Identifying and analyzing the causes and consequences that generate the high consumption of mercury in gold mining activities is an international priority. In Colombia, eighty-seven percent of the country's gold mines have no mining title and only 3% possess environmental licenses. High mining and environmental lawlessness, the failures of formalization programs and the inadequacy of importation controls on the supply are the cause of the high consumption of mercury in Colombian mining. To diagnose the country's gold mining activities and the excessive use of mercury in them, we used six information sources (semi-structured interviews, 2011 Census on Mining Activities), nine dependent and 21 independent variables. The study evidenced the miners' partiality in favor of the use of mercury in the procurement of gold; the process is easy, quick and inexpensive. Mercury concentrations were found to be above tolerable levels. In response, government has opted for a policy of persecution of the activity rather than the promotion of their formalization...

Identificar e analisar as causas e consequências que estão gerando altos níveis de consumo de mercúrio na atividade aurífera é uma prioridade internacional. 87% das minas auríferas do país não têm título mineiro e somente 3% conta com licença ambiental. Alta ilegalidade mineira e ambiental, o fracasso dos programas de formalização e falta de controlo sobre as importações de consumo são as causas dos altos níveis de consumo de mercúrio na atividade aurífera. Para diagnosticar esta atividade e o uso excessivo de mercúrio na Colômbia, usaram-se seis fontes de informação (entrevistas semi-estruturadas, censo mineiro 2011), nove variáveis dependentes e 21 independentes. Evidenciou-se que os mineiros preferem o uso de mercúrio para o benefício do ouro porque é um método fácil, rápido e económico. Os estudos evidenciam concentrações de mercúrio acima dos limites permitidos. Ante esta situação o Governo inclinou-se para uma política de perseguição à atividade em lugar de fomentar a sua formalização...

[The workers health and the Tropical Oil Company. Barrancabermeja, 1916-1940]. / La salud de los trabajadores y la Tropical Oil Company. Barrancabermeja, 1916-1940.

This article analyses the health of workers engaged in oil exploration and exploitation in Colombia during the time of the so-called De Mares concession from 1916 to 1940. Periodisation was constructed which sought to account for yellow fever and tropical diseases within the sanitary situation related to oil exploration and exploitation during this period and region and how it became displaced from its central position by accidentally. The initial period was characterised by the lack of protection to which the workers were subjected at the start of oil-producing activities between 1916 and 1920. The second period was defined by implementing means of protection within the framework of a labour dispute accompanied by the sanitary problem's great burden between 1921 and 1928. The third period (1929 to 1940) dealt with entrepreneurial initiative becoming consolidated so as to make health become a control device, even though this was accompanied by the persistence of important labour disputes in which accidentality had a notable presence. Aspects are identified which should be gone into in greater depth for characterising oil-workers' health at the time of the De Mares concession.

La salud de los trabajadores y la Tropical Oil Company: Barrancabermeja, 1916-1940 / The workers health and the Tropical Oil Company Barrancabermeja, 1916-1940

El artículo presenta un análisis sobre la salud de los trabajadores en los procesos de exploración y explotación petrolera adelantados en el país en la denominada Concesión de Mares, entre 1916 y 1940. Se construyó una periodización que busca dar cuenta del lugar de la problemática de la Fiebre Amarilla y las enfermedades tropicales en la situación sanitaria de la actividad petrolera en este periodo y región, pasando de ocupar un lugar central a ser desplazadas por la accidentalidad. El periodo inicial se caracteriza por la desprotección a que se ven sometidos los trabajadores al comienzo de las actividades productivas petroleras, entre 1916 y 1920; el segundo periodo se define por la implementación de medidas de protección, en el marco de un conflicto laboral con un gran peso de la problemática sanitaria, entre 1921 y 1928; y en el tercer periodo se consolida la iniciativa empresarial para hacer de la salud un dispositivo de control, pero que se acompaña de la persistencia de conflictos laborales importantes en que la accidentalidad tiene una presencia notoria, entre 1929 y 1940. Finalmente se identifican aspectos a profundizar para una caracterización de la configuración de la salud de los trabajadores petroleros en la Concesión de Mares.

This article analyses the health of workers engaged in oil exploration and exploitation in Colombia during the time of the so-called De Mares concession from 1916 to 1940. Periodisation was constructed which sought to account for yellow fever and tropical diseases within the sanitary situation related to oil exploration and exploitation during this period and region and how it became displaced from its central position by accidentally. The initial period was characterised by the lack of protection to which the workers were subjected at the start of oil-producing activities between 1916 and 1920. The second period was defined by implementing means of protection within the framework of a labour dispute accompanied by the sanitary problem's great burden between 1921 and 1928. The third period (1929 to 1940) dealt with entrepreneurial initiative becoming consolidated so as to make health become a control device, even though this was accompanied by the persistence of important labour disputes in which accidentality had a notable presence. Aspects are identified which should be gone into in greater depth for characterising oil-workers' health at the time of the De Mares concession.

The health and health system of South Africa: historical roots of current public health challenges.

The roots of a dysfunctional health system and the collision of the epidemics of communicable and non-communicable diseases in South Africa can be found in policies from periods of the country's history, from colonial subjugation, apartheid dispossession, to the post-apartheid period. Racial and gender discrimination, the migrant labour system, the destruction of family life, vast income inequalities, and extreme violence have all formed part of South Africa's troubled past, and all have inexorably affected health and health services. In 1994, when apartheid ended, the health system faced massive challenges, many of which still persist. Macroeconomic policies, fostering growth rather than redistribution, contributed to the persistence of economic disparities between races despite a large expansion in social grants. The public health system has been transformed into an integrated, comprehensive national service, but failures in leadership and stewardship and weak management have led to inadequate implementation of what are often good policies. Pivotal facets of primary health care are not in place and there is a substantial human resources crisis facing the health sector. The HIV epidemic has contributed to and accelerated these challenges. All of these factors need to be addressed by the new government if health is to be improved and the Millennium Development Goals achieved in South Africa.

Epidemiological studies of lung carcinoma incidence in uranium miners (accumulation and retrospective use of diagnostic data).

The paper attracts attention to the question of accumulation and retrospective use of diagnostic data in the early epidemiological studies of lung carcinoma incidence in uranium miners in Schneeberg, Saxony, and in Jáchymov (Joachimsthal), Bohemia.

The defence of chrysotile, 1912-2007.

The commercial exploitation of asbestos may be dated from the late 1870s, when Canada was the major world source. Reports of severe and fatal respiratory disease in workers in asbestos factories appeared in Britain (1898, 1906), and in France (1906) and Italy (1908). In 1912 the Canadian Department of Labour denied that the health of Quebec's millers and miners was affected. A series of denials appeared for over 40 years, until in 1955 a Thetford Mines medical officer reported finding that between 1945 and 1953, among some 4,000 asbestos workers 128 had asbestosis of various degrees of severity, 121 diagnosed radiographically, and 33 confirmed at autopsy. Although a committee of inquiry into health in the asbestos industry (1976), and a Royal Commission on health and safety arising in the use of asbestos in Ontario (1984) confirmed that disease had occurred, these findings were to have no adverse effects on asbestos exports. Rather, the inquiries constituted elements in the industry's successful public relations exercise that continues to operate to this day. Even when an increasing number of national bodies have legislated for total bans on asbestos use, a policy with which all the international bodies concerned with public health agree, the Canadian PR apparatus continues to be able to call on physicians and scientists prepared to oppose the consensuses reached by the independent advisors to these bodies.

A review of scientific literature examining the mining history, geology, mineralogy, and amphibole asbestos health effects of the Rainy Creek igneous complex, Libby, Montana, USA.

This article reviews the past 90 yr of scientific research directed on multiple aspects of the unique geology and environmental health issues surrounding the vermiculite deposit found at Libby, MT. Hydrothermal alteration and extensive weathering of the ultramafic units resulted in the formation of a rich deposit of vermiculite that was mined for 67 yr and used in numerous consumer products in its expanded form. Later intrusions of alkaline units caused hydrothermal alteration of the pyroxenes, resulting in formation of amphiboles. Some of these amphiboles occur in the asbestiform habit and have been associated with pulmonary disease in former miners and mill workers. Identification of these amphibole asbestos minerals has received little attention in the past, but recent work shows that the majority of the amphibole mineral species present may not be any of the amphibole species currently regulated by government agencies. Epidemiological studies on former miners have, nevertheless, shown that the amphibole asbestos from the Rainy Creek igneous complex is harmful; also, a recent study by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry shows that residents of Libby who had not been employed in the vermiculite mining or milling operations also appear to have developed asbestos-related pulmonary diseases at a higher rate than the general public elsewhere. Since November 1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been involved in the cleanup of asbestos-contaminated sites in and around Libby associated with the mining and processing of vermiculite.