Where asbestos is just a fact of life
Photographer Louie Palu chronicles Canada's trade in a notorious mineral
Piles of asbestos tailings in Thetford Mines often date back a century or more.Louie Palu/The Globe and Mail
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An open-pit mine owned by LAB Chrysotile.Louie Palu/The Globe and Mail
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Tailings piles are barren of vegetation, even after many years.Louie Palu/The Globe and Mail
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The town of Black Lake huddles in the space not used by mines.Louie Palu/The Globe and Mail
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Downtown Thetford Mines on a rainy September night.Louie Palu/The Globe and Mail
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Retired miner Ritchie Harnish holds a piece of asbestos-bearing rock.Louie Palu/The Globe and Mail
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