Former miners sought for McIntyre Powder study: Laurentian University student to examine emotional impact of exposure to aluminum.

• Author: Kelly, Lindsay

A post-graduate health student at Laurentian University is studying the emotional impact on miners who were exposed to McIntyre Powder aluminum dust while working underground in Northern Ontario mines.

Danielle Aubin is conducting the research for her Master's degree thesis in interdisciplinary health.

"For my research, I'm not looking at causation--what caused what. I'm looking to determine how it has impacted (miners) in their life being exposed to McIntyre Powder, so more looking at the emotional aspect of it," Aubin said.

"So, we're going to get more in-depth information about it."

McIntyre Powder was a finely ground aluminum dust developed by mine executives and administered to underground miners between 1943 and 1980 as a proposed preventive measure against silicosis.

It was later proven the powder was never effective as a prophylactic and the practice was discontinued.

But miners who had been exposed and later developed a variety of health issues--everything from respiratory illnesses to neurological disorders--believe McIntyre Powder is a direct cause of their illnesses.

The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) is currently undertaking research to see if a link can be made between those illnesses and McIntyre Powder.

Aubin said she has always had a strong interest in occupational health and chronic diseases, and so research on McIntyre Powder was a perfect fit.

She later learned of a direct, personal connection to the work.

"My dad's in mining--he's a heavy-duty mechanic--and it turns out he was exposed for one week," Aubin said, noting her father was just starting out in the industry as the powder was being eliminated.

Yet, Aubin emphasized, her research will remain objective.

She's seeking 16 to 20 volunteers who will partake in a 45-minute interview to find out more about their experiences being exposed to McIntyre Powder.

Volunteers have to have worked underground in Northern Ontario and been exposed for at least one year continuously.

Every participant will be asked the same 16 questions about their time underground and their memories of being exposed to the powder.

The process is entirely voluntary and completely confidential.

Aubin expects most participants will come from Timmins, Elliot Lake and Sudbury, and most will be those who worked in gold or uranium mines where use of the powder was most common.

"The Sudbury mines didn't (use it), but a lot of the miners have immigrated this way because of the...