While searching through conservation.ca.gov a picture of the King City Asbestos Corporation Mine (KCAC mine) back in 1998 caught my eye. I was going through the hazards tabs when I came across a map of California that detailed hazardous minerals.
The mine opened back in 1992 but closed in 2002, it was the last chrysotile asbestos operating mine when they shut down. Scientist began to realize that "asbestos was a major cause of various diseases including lung cancer, mesothelioma and a scarring of the lungs that was given the name “asbestosis”. Use of asbestos declined rapidly, with many countries banning the substance, and extensive efforts made to remove asbestos from buildings." (Bustmold.com) With those dangers in mind, it was then estimated that about 40-50% of the mine was made out of chrysotile asbestos, so you can imagine how dangerous working in mines like KCAC was. In 1906 the very first death of an asbestos worker was recorded, he died from pulmonary failure. The autopsy found showed a large number of asbestos fibers in his lungs.
While going through conservation.ca.gov I realized just how many geological complexities there truly are. I also learned that the San Andres fault isn't California's only problem.
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| This is the 1998 picture that I was referring to. (Photo Credit: conservation.ca.gov) |
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