2012-2013
News Release
REF NO.: 53
SUBJECT: Book launch at Memorial’s Faculty of Medicine for The Fluorspar Mines of Newfoundland
DATE: December 6, 2012
Note to editors:
A book launch will be held at Memorial’s Faculty of Medicine on Friday, Dec. 7, for The Fluorspar Mines of Newfoundland, written by Dr. John R. Martin, a retired physician and professor of medicine.
The launch takes place starting at 4 p.m. with a reading in Theatre D by Dr. Martin. A book signing and reception will follow in the foyer. Books will be available through the Memorial University bookstore at this event for $29.95 plus HST ($31.45), cash only.
Dr. Martin served as the chief occupational medical officer for the province from 1984-92. In this book, The Fluorspar Mines of Newfoundland: Their History and the Epidemic of Radiation Lung Cancer, he tells the history of Newfoundland’s fluorspar mines from their founding to the last shipment of fluorspar in 1990 and declaration of bankruptcy a year later. He focuses on the health hazards experienced by the miners, and how the mining companies, workers, government and health services came to terms with the unfolding human tragedy.
Dr. Martin’s book also covers such matters as the improvement of methods for dust quantification and radiation surveillance in the mines, battles for compensation and the influence of the St. Lawrence case on the development of labour law in the province.
The Fluorspar Mines of Newfoundland is published by McGill-Queen’s University Press.
REF NO.: 53
SUBJECT: Book launch at Memorial’s Faculty of Medicine for The Fluorspar Mines of Newfoundland
DATE: December 6, 2012
Note to editors:
A book launch will be held at Memorial’s Faculty of Medicine on Friday, Dec. 7, for The Fluorspar Mines of Newfoundland, written by Dr. John R. Martin, a retired physician and professor of medicine.
The launch takes place starting at 4 p.m. with a reading in Theatre D by Dr. Martin. A book signing and reception will follow in the foyer. Books will be available through the Memorial University bookstore at this event for $29.95 plus HST ($31.45), cash only.
Dr. Martin served as the chief occupational medical officer for the province from 1984-92. In this book, The Fluorspar Mines of Newfoundland: Their History and the Epidemic of Radiation Lung Cancer, he tells the history of Newfoundland’s fluorspar mines from their founding to the last shipment of fluorspar in 1990 and declaration of bankruptcy a year later. He focuses on the health hazards experienced by the miners, and how the mining companies, workers, government and health services came to terms with the unfolding human tragedy.
Dr. Martin’s book also covers such matters as the improvement of methods for dust quantification and radiation surveillance in the mines, battles for compensation and the influence of the St. Lawrence case on the development of labour law in the province.
The Fluorspar Mines of Newfoundland is published by McGill-Queen’s University Press.
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