The Fifth Estate

Powder Keg (5x1)

: 18, 1979

In 1979 fifth estate host Ian Parker reported on the controversial Canadian practice of exposing mine workers to aluminum dust filtered directly into their locker room. It was believed that the dust would coat their lungs and protect miners from the dangerous effects of silica dust. The process had been banned in England, Sweden and South Africa and many scientists claimed the process was ineffective and potentially toxic.