Old started when I was 17 I have in an asbestos mine in the Yukon. I had the enthusiasm of youth and saw the case as a great adventure.

The mine was about 7 miles from the border of Alaska on the banks of the Forty Mile River, which flowed into the Yukon River, approximately 5 miles or more north.

I came for the first time in August and worked on the crew area. This was the group responsible for outside maintenance of all things on the surface. That was fine when we had those few relatively warm days in summer, but later it was a bit difficult to work at least 55F.

One of my first tasks was to clear the conveyor that asbestos was used to keep track. Landfills are basically the scum that go to the milling of asbestos on the left and the mill on conveyor belts to large piles behind the mill. At that time, about 100 meters high.

I got a shovel and a small mask (one species, like those little paper that painters use) and told to go shovel off the production line on the slopes too. I dutifully spent with my little shovel all the blockages of asbestos from the conveyor belt clear. I remember clearly at one point standing literally knee deep in the asbestos on the top of the 100-meter high pile and looking at my face very poor quality and the interior (to see where he should not be) while the gray dust of asbestos. So I took my handkerchief (yes, I wore one) and blew my nose. Sorry for the rude, graphic description, but it is gray. And here was my introduction to working in an asbestos mine.

Even in the early 1970s, it became known that asbestos causes. Working in the mines, we would receive, brochures solo around periodically with propaganda, as it was never proven that asbestos is dangerous. They were beautiful glossy brochures. I wish I had kept one.

Although I had the opportunity of the mill for various reasons, I am happy that I am not here to work. There were people sweeping in the mill whose sole job it was the dust that fell on the floor. There was so he works a steady job. The asbestos dust in the mill actually fell almost like snow covers the ground and completely. Without sweepers there would probably be several inches of asbestos dust on the ground in an hour or two. Go In fact, I remember as sweepers by their wide brooms and dust deposits on New on the floor behind them as they went.

Yukon itself was beautiful. Stunning indeed. I had many great experiences and I have seen natural wonders, I had not seen anywhere else. I had the Alaska Highway hitchiked with a friend. In those days the road was paved. The greater part of the trip was made from a nice family traveling in a bus from the old school available. Rattle and dust. Rattle and dust. But we are finally on to Whitehorse, then
Dawson City. I loved Dawson. It was like a step back in time. Not only architecture and real estate, but they were the people that old fashion friendliness and charm, though tempered by a desire that we have to live in this harsh environment.

The Yukon has a quiet her. Nearly calm you can feel. I note that only those who were there and they have experienced to fully understand what I mean found.

In all this beauty, I suppose the asbestos mine was a curse or a cancer on the environment. Fortunately recovered abandoned for many years, nature has its field, but unfortunately asbestos mining has left a legacy of asbestosis and mesothelioma, with some left-wing former employees. Many resources are available with information, legal and personal (www.mesothelioma-listings.com) but one should not allow something that the body uses to consume the soul. Being human is a bit too low for vagarities of life as it is. There are a lot of “drama happens” without us spending all our energies to blame. Be calm. Remember your mission in life is to help others. Be happy and try to improve life around you.

As I type this I look out the window and saw my grandchildren learn to fish behind the dam. It can not do better than that.

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