RED LAKE REGIONAL HERITAGE CENTRE
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Health Risks

Technological advances and regulations brought in by the passing of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act have reduced the health risks that underground miners are exposed to. However, these are three common health risks miners have experienced throughout history.

Silicosis
Silicosis is a form of lung disease caused by exposure to and breathing in silica dust. Scar tissue forms in the lungs, making them less elastic and it becomes harder to breathe. When symptoms appear depends on level and length of exposure. Quartz is a common source of silica and the dust created by drilling it put miners at risk for developing silicosis.


The mining industry and provincial government have taken silicosis very seriously throughout history. In 1928 lung tests became mandatory and miners had to carry a certificate verifying their lung health. Northern Ontario mines used McIntyre Powder (finely ground aluminum oxide powder) to prevent silicosis from 1944 to 1980.

Created by the McInytre Research Foundation on behalf of McIntyre Porcupine Mines, miners breathed in fine aluminum powder for several minutes before going underground. However, the validity of this ‘treatment’ was questionable and may have caused the development of health problems like neurological issues later in life. It is more likely that improved ventilation and the introduction of wet drilling reduced silica dust exposure.

In 2020, a study was published about the correlation between McIntyre Powder and neurological diseases. As of February 2022, WSIB recognizes that Parkinson’s disease resulting from occupational exposure to McIntryre Powder as an occupational hazard.

https://www.wsib.ca/en/mcintyre-powder-update
Picture
Source: ‘No cause found between McIntyre Powder exposure and neurological disease in miners, says WSIB’, Northern Ontario Business, August 17, 2017
Picture
Source: "Dying for a Living" by Ross Howard, Toronto Star (Sept 18, 1979).
Vibration White Finger (VWF)
More commonly known as white finger or white hand, VWF is one of the most common occupational health risks miners experience. VWF is a circulation condition caused by years of working with vibrating tools like drills. The vibration damages blood vessels in the fingers, causing them to restrict blood flow during periods of stress or when cold. During an episode of VWF, the affected fingers will become white.

Mining companies have introduced equipment like drilling machines to limit vibration exposure. Today, companies like Goldcorp are working towards fully automating underground mining, further reducing vibration exposure.

Hearing Loss
Today, miners wear hardhats with ear protection, but that was not always the case. Historically, miners worked in an incredibly loud environment with nothing more than cotton batting or toilet paper in their ears, if anything at all. Continued exposure to loud noises ultimately caused hearing loss. Hearing tests eventually became part of physical exams performed to monitor the health of mine workers. Today, mines have noise-induced hearing loss prevention protocols in place.



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Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre
51A Highway 105 P.O. Box 64
Red Lake, ON, Canada
P0V 2M0
807-727-3006
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The Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre is a charitable organization, funded by the Municipality of Red Lake, the Ontario Ministry of Culture, and through fundraising activities. Reg # 87315 2714 RR001.

  • Home
  • Heritage Online
    • Puzzles
    • Podcast
    • Online Programming >
      • Bannock
      • Dream Catchers
      • Eco Printing
      • Flower Pounding
      • Fur Trade
      • Mushrooms
      • Pysanky
      • Suncatchers
      • Wild Teas
  • Exhibitions and Events
    • Events
    • Upcoming Exhibits >
      • 100 Years of Red Lake
    • Current Exhibits >
      • NNT
    • Past Exhibits >
      • Hospital History
      • SouthPaw Photography
      • EZHI NAMANG: HOW WE SEE IT
      • Triple K Art
      • Red Lake on the Move
      • Fish Stories
      • Red Lake Art Show >
        • Red Lake Art Show 2016
        • Red Lake Art Show 2017
        • Red Lake Art Show 2018
        • 2023 Art Show
        • 2024 Red Lake Art Show
      • Woodland Caribou Provincial Park
      • Fire People >
        • Fire 14-1
        • Fire 14-2
    • Red Lake Speaker Series
  • History
    • On This Spot
    • Red Lake History
    • Aviation History
    • Immigration
    • Residential Schools
    • Heritage Centre History
    • Red Lake District Souvenir Record
  • Gift Shop
    • Accessories >
      • Jewellery
      • Key Holders
      • Purses, Wallets & Bags
    • Local Artists >
      • Rhonda Beckman
      • Valerie Blab
      • Kaila Erb
      • Lauren Furman
      • Patrick Hunter
      • Aaron LeBlanc
      • Amy Newport
      • Hidehiro Otake
      • Mark Nadjiwan
      • Sara Ramer-Dean
      • Rebecca Saikkonen
      • Wendy Yutzy
    • Books & DVDs
    • Cards
    • Clothing >
      • Scarves & Hats
      • T-Shirts
      • Long Sleeves
      • Socks
    • Home & Kitchen >
      • Glassware
      • Home Décor
      • Kitchen
      • Mugs
    • Glass Ornaments
    • Magnets
    • Miscellaneous
    • Norval Morrisseau Designs
  • Support
    • Volunteering
    • Memberships
    • Donor Wall
  • About Us
    • Strategic Plan
    • Annual Report
    • Services
    • Our Mission
    • Collections Policy
    • Newsletter
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Staff & Board
  • Mailing List
  • Mining Map
  • Donate Now
  • Woodland-Art
  • Mural Project Survey Teachers