• Honytawk@lemmy.zip
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    14
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 month ago

    But like, why asbestos?

    Why can’t they shovel sand or dirt or something?

    • Olhonestjim@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      18
      ·
      edit-2
      1 month ago

      To make people believe it was safe. They knew it wasn’t, so they manipulated public opinion with marketing stunts.

      “Of course it’s safe! Look how safe it is! It’s fun for the whole family! What do you think we are, monsters?”

      • IninewCrow@lemmy.ca
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        5
        ·
        1 month ago

        When in fact yes … yes they were monsters … and there are monsters still around us today

    • JackFrostNCola@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 month ago

      Wittenoom was an asbestos mining town, it was the whole reason for the towns existence. They believed at the time that not only was asbestos safe but they would spread blue asbestos out on the ground around their houses and paths on purpose (for some reason, i forget why exactly, might have been as an insect deterrent or something).
      So this wouldnt be that weird for them, like a coal mining town digging buckets of coal.