Silica followup study should have been sooner, woman says

A woman in Labrador City is happy the provincial government will be following up a study from 2000 on the effects of silica dust; however, she says the work should have started sooner.

Katie Collins's father died from silicosis two years ago. He worked in the mine owned by the Iron Ore Company of Canada.

She said the latest study will help new miners and anyone who may consider working there in the future.

"I would really like for everybody to be happy about this," Collins said. "My dad passed away with silicosis - it was too late for him, but now it's going to be even better for other people, and plus the people and the children of Labrador." 

Two-thousand past and present employees of IOC and Wabush Mines will be tested in the study. It will cost the provincial government almost $900,000 and take two years to complete.