Dangerous Jobs: From Shellac Harvesting to Snake Venom Extraction

Turlen Dhan bravely climbs trees in India to harvest valuable lac insects, sustaining her community despite climate challenges.

### Dangerous Jobs: From Lac Insect Harvesting to Petrified Wood Mining
* In India, farmers scale trees to harvest lac insects, which produce **valuable shellac**, with Turlen Dhan managing about **100 lac-infested trees** and earning **$7 per kilo**.
* 🏭 Manoj Saraogi's factory processes over **500 metric tons of lac annually**, employing complex methods to refine it for various uses, including **food-safe coatings**.
* 🌍 The global shellac industry is worth over **$167 million**, with more than half of the supply coming from India, where **thousands depend on this trade** despite fluctuating prices.
* 🌱 In Brazil, Lucas and his family harvest açaí, facing challenges due to the fruit's **quick spoilage** and the rising demand that has led to a **dramatic increase in exports**.
* 💰 The açaí market is projected to reach **$2.1 billion by 2025**, reflecting its popularity as a superfood in the US, despite its **deep-rooted cultural significance in Brazil**.
* In Indonesia, Eli Suhaeli and his team mine for petrified wood fossils, risking their lives in **unregulated mines** while earning **meager wages** compared to the **high market value** of their finds.
* 🏗 Meanwhile, in Cameroon, sand mining threatens local fisheries and communities, with workers like Yona Elvis facing **dangerous conditions for low pay** amid a **growing demand for construction materials**.
* 🔋 As the demand for graphite surges due to electric vehicle production, Sri Lankan miners like Neil Suresh Abesekara struggle with **outdated techniques**, hoping for **better opportunities for future generations**.

### Environmental and Human Impact: From Pollution to Antivenom Production
* 🌍 Areas near petrochemical plants are often referred to as "**sacrifice zones**" due to their severe pollution, which harms local ecosystems and contributes to Indonesia being the "**fourth-most-polluted country globally**".
* 🐠 Nurdles, tiny plastic pellets, frequently escape factories and transportation, leading to the **death of marine life that ingest them**, while air pollution has reduced the average lifespan of Indonesians by approximately **1.5 years**.
* 🏭 Although Indonesia has enacted laws to limit greenhouse gas emissions, enforcement remains weak, raising concerns about the **environmental consequences of new petrochemical plants**.
* 💼 The government argues that these plants will create jobs, but with **25 million people living in poverty**, many prioritize **economic growth over environmental health**.
* 🐍 In Australia, Billy, a snake milker, cares for over 300 venomous snakes, using their venom to produce antivenom that has **saved over 250,000 lives**, highlighting the **importance of this work despite its dangers**.
* 🩸 Horses are also integral to antivenom production; they are injected with venom to produce **antibodies**, which are then harvested to create **lifesaving treatments for snakebites**.
* 💰 However, access to antivenom remains a critical issue, particularly in rural areas of India and Sub-Saharan Africa, where many victims **die due to a lack of timely medical intervention**.
* 🧪 Researchers are exploring innovative methods to produce antivenom more efficiently, including lab-based antibody production, which could **alleviate reliance on animal sources** and **improve accessibility for those in need**.

### The Harsh Realities of Outdoor Work and Craftsmanship: From Climbing to Scissor Making
* 🧗 The use of specialized harnesses in climbing ensures safety and comfort, allowing climbers to **hang for extended periods without restricting blood flow to their legs**.
* 🧗 Rappelling equipment, like the bar rack, is essential for descent, relying on **friction rather than complex moving parts** to handle wet ropes.
* ⚠ The crew faces dangers from storms while working on cliffside stabilization, emphasizing the **need for safety precautions** during high-risk tasks.
* ⛰ Techniques like using pike poles for debris removal highlight the challenges of differential erosion on cliffs, where **rock layers wear away at different rates**.
* ✋ In the scissor-making industry, artisans endure **harsh conditions** to produce **durable scissors**, which have been crafted in Meerut since the **Mughal Empire**, with a daily output of around **600 blades**.
* 💰 Despite their craftsmanship, workers earn **meager wages**, highlighting the economic struggles faced by those in traditional industries, especially against **cheaper, machine-made alternatives from China**.
* 🌿 The ongoing conflict over coca farming in Colombia illustrates the complexities of drug production and the impact on local communities, where many families **depend on coca for survival**.
* 🧒 Child labor remains a significant issue in mica mining across Madagascar and India, where families often rely on their children to **help support the household amid economic hardships**.

16 Dangerous Jobs Around The World | Business Insider Marathon

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The Dangerous Jobs of Shellac and Açaí Producers

Workers in India scale trees to harvest lac insects, which secrete a valuable amber-colored resin that hardens into shellac.

The shellac production process involves crushing, washing, drying, and melting the lac, with workers using traditional methods and machines to create thin sheets for export.

The global shellac industry is worth over $167 million, with India supplying more than half of the world's demand.

Meanwhile, açaí fruit harvesters in Brazil face dangerous climbs and low wages, while the processed açaí sorbet sells for much more in the US.

Açaí fruit is harvested and sold quickly to avoid spoilage, with its production in Brazil skyrocketing by 14,000% from 2011 to 2020.

The fruit's popularity grew in the 1980s, becoming a superfood and a staple in American açaí bowls.

The rise of monoculture plantations for açaí production is raising concerns about the loss of cultural traditions and the long-term sustainability of the industry.

Petrified wood is highly valued for its color and patterns, with pieces selling for up to $5,000.

The national park in Arizona, home to the world's largest petrified wood collection, is crucial for understanding Earth's history and climate changes.

Miners in Indonesia and Cameroon work tirelessly to extract and sell petrified wood and sand, respectively, but often struggle to make a sustainable living.

The Global Demand for Sand and Its Impact

The demand for sand has surged to 50 billion tons per year, driven by construction needs, with the global market projected to grow from $23 billion in 2022 to $46.

Riverbed sand, with its sharp grains, is ideal for construction, but excessive mining is causing environmental issues, such as declining water levels and disrupting local ecosystems.

Countries like Cambodia and India are also facing challenges from sand mining, leading to coastal erosion, disrupted fish populations, and evictions of long-time residents, while some companies are now manufacturing sand to reduce the environmental impact.

The Decline and Potential of Sri Lanka's Graphite Industry

Sri Lanka's graphite industry has dwindled from nearly 3,000 pits to three major mines due to decreased demand and neglect.

The country currently produces about 3,000 tons of graphite a year, while China dominates with 850,000 tons.

With the growing demand for graphite in lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles, Sri Lanka has the opportunity to step up its production and attract foreign investment.

Indonesia's Petrochemical Expansion and Its Impact

Indonesia is making a significant investment in the oil industry, with plans to build 22 new petrochemical plants by 2025, offering companies up to 100% tax reduction.

The country's struggle with pollution is exacerbated by these plants, which emit toxic chemicals and contribute to waterway pollution, while Indonesia already faces severe air pollution and landfill issues.

Despite the government's promise of job creation, experts fear that the expansion of petrochemical plants will lead to more environmental problems.

The Vital Role of Horses in Antivenom Production

Freeze-dried venom is crucial for antivenom production, with horses being key to the process.

Mauricio's team at Instituto Clodomiro Picado injects horses with venom to produce antibodies, which are then used to create antivenom.

Despite the importance of antivenom, access is limited in rural areas, leading to a significant number of snakebite deaths each year.

Researching Snake Venom for Antibody Production

A lab is studying 30,000 preserved snakes, focusing on Russell's viper, to find ways to produce antibodies and reduce the need for live snakes.

The research aims to develop an oral tablet that could neutralize the effects of all snake species, providing treatment to victims in rural communities.

Meanwhile, in Idlib, Syria, Abdullah works at a landfill to support his family, facing hazardous conditions and the aftermath of war, while also dealing with the challenges of finding work and providing for his displaced family.

The Struggles and Resilience of Families in Syria and Goa

Hussein and his family of 12 live in a tent near a landfill in Syria, where he struggles to make a living and provide food for his family.

The landfill and scrapyards in the area play a crucial role in recycling materials and providing income for many, including children like Abdullah.

In Goa, Milagres taps coconut trees for toddy, working tirelessly to collect and sell the sap, while the drink's popularity is slowly shifting from a poor man's beverage to a premium brand.

Mezcal production in Mexico has surged by 400% from 2014 to 2020, with the US market now larger than Mexico's.

Tappers in Goa are promoting coconut feni and pushing for a geographical indication tag for its authentic production.

The traditional process of making feni from cashew fruits involves fermentation and distillation, with the drink becoming a part of Goan cuisine since the Portuguese colonization in 1510.

The Challenges of Bangladesh's Leather Industry and Niagara Falls' Rope Access Team

Bangladesh's leather industry is rapidly growing, aiming for $10 billion in exports by 2030, but workers like Daud face harsh conditions.

The government's filtration system for wastewater has failed, leading to environmental contamination.

Meanwhile, a rope access team at Niagara Falls is working to clear dangerous rocks from a cliff, facing risks like dehydration and thunderstorms.

The Process of Trail and Scissor Production

The crew uses softball shin pads and steel-toed shoes for safety while clearing rocks from a cliffside, but a storm forces them to cut their work short.

After the storm, they focus on stabilizing the slope and clearing the walking paths using gabion baskets.

Meanwhile, in an ancient city, workers forge scissor blades from scrap iron and make handles from recycled metals, but the use of coal and diesel for the furnace has led to lung diseases for 80% of the workers.

The scissor-making industry in Meerut, India, is characterized by extreme working conditions, with artisans like Gulsanawar earning only 300 rupees a day while producing 600 scissor sides.

The craft has a rich history, dating back to the Mughal Empire in the 16th century, but has faced challenges in recent years due to rising raw material costs and competition from China's larger-scale production.

Despite the difficulties, Meerut's scissors are unique for their durability, with some pairs designed to last over 100 years, and they are still in high demand by tailors and other professionals.

The Production Process of Hot-Air Balloons

Hot-air balloon gores are cut by hand or with a laser machine, taking up to a week for the envelope pieces.

The envelope accounts for 50% of the balloon's cost, with larger balloons taking up to two months to make.

The burner system and passenger baskets are also crucial components, with the entire production process involving careful teamwork and inspection to ensure quality and safety.

Colombia's Ongoing Battle with Drug Gangs and Cartels

Colombia is home to at least 23 drug gangs and four major rebel groups, with the Clan del Golfo cartel controlling key drug-trafficking routes to the US.

The country's war on drugs has been ongoing since the 1970s, employing around 400,000 people and generating approximately $18 billion annually.

Despite efforts to combat drug trafficking and violence, the problem persists, with smaller groups taking over after the disbandment of larger cartels, and the US has invested over $10 billion in counter-narcotics operations in Colombia since 1999.

The Struggles of Coca and Mica Farmers in Colombia and Madagascar

Coca farming is a lifeline for over 200,000 families in Colombia, with the plant's cultivation increasing significantly since Pablo Escobar's era.

The government's crop substitution program has faced challenges, leaving many families without full support.

In Madagascar, mica mining has become a desperate source of income for families, including children, due to a crippling drought and extreme poverty, with the mineral's global demand expected to grow.