This Spanish dubbed industrial film shows the Canadian asbestos mining industry and in particular the open pit mine at Thetford, Quebec. Today the mine is closed, although the open pit remains today near the town of Thetford Mines. Sad to say, most if not all of the men shown in this film working with asbestos likely died of Metothelioma as a result of their exposure.
In 1876 large deposits of asbestos were discovered in Quebec. It quickly became one of the largest asbestos producing regions in the world as Canada began to supply more asbestos than any other country in the world. The fiber was valued for its unique fire, rust, and rot resistance, as well as its tensile strength and sound absorption. It was even referred to as the miracle fiber for these rare, valuable properties. Before the true nature of the health hazards that asbestos presented were discovered it was used extensively in the construction of buildings and Navy vessels. Many buildings built around the 1960s during the heyday of asbestos were constructed with many products that contain asbestos fibers. The governments of most developed countries have place restrictions on the use of asbestos. In many cases the use of asbestos is no longer permitted and strict regulations have been placed on the silky white fiber. It is now clear that extensive exposure to asbestos can greatly increase the risk of lung cancer and other health problems related to the respiratory system.
The most common mineral type of asbestos is chrysotile and this is the type present at the location of Thetford Mines. This particular type is white in color and shares the same characteristics of the other variations of asbestos. It occurs naturally as long, thin fibers that are similar to fiberglass. Although the different types of asbestos largely share the same characteristics they do vary in color ranging from white (chrystotile), gray (anthophyllite), brown (amosite), and blue (crocidolite). Chrysotile is part of a group of sheet silicates which is called serpentine. These are formed when hot water reacts with a type of igneous rock called peridotite. This reaction creates silicates throughout the rock, but the chrysotile is only found in the veins in the rock. These veins are what is then mined and made into a variety of products.
For more information visit: https://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/health/case_studies/asbestos_canada.html
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