Public Health

Public health is a core tenet of our resistance.

We are concerned with the risk the Westwin refinery poses to the health of our people. Zero environmental and health impact studies have been done on Westwin’s huge project, which would be the only cobalt-nickel refinery in the United States. Key Indigenous tribes have not been consulted, meaning the city and Westwin are not considering what could happen to our land, air, water, and health. We know that cobalt refineries pose great threats to public health. The CDC published a public health statement on the toxicity of cobalt, referring to refineries as a major contributor of human exposure to toxic pollution. This study revealed that lung failure and heart disease are two of many potential health risks. 

We stand firm in our resistance as an act of care for each other’s health and refuse to be test subjects in this risky project.