Russian City Still Mining Tons of Asbestos

It’s hard to believe that in 2013, a city in Russia is still mining asbestos at maximum capacity. Considering the amount of scientific knowledge that Russia has, this is a testament to the power of the asbestos industry. Not only is the mine operating at a high rate, but the people involved within the industry even claim that this is safe for workers and city residents. These industry representatives ignore the illnesses of the mine workers, and the fact that exposure to asbestos is known to cause diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, other cancers and asbestosis.

Fittingly, the name of the Russian city is Asbest. When the wind blows a certain direction over the mine, layers of asbestos fiber cover local yards, including laundry hanging in back yards, and plants in residents’ gardens. The name of the city’s official anthem is translated to mean “Asbestos, my city and my fate.”

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