A Canadian town which previously housed an asbestos mine has changed its name from Asbestos to reflect the local’s new identity.

The Quebec town houses around 7,000 people 100 miles east of Montreal. For over a century, this town’s growth was driven in part by local asbestos mining – prompting the community to be named “Asbestos.” The local Jeffery Mine employed thousands of local townsfolk for years while the demand for asbestos went up. However, when the health hazards of mineral including asbestos cancer were revealed, the name Asbestos started to draw negative attention.

In 2010, an Australian TV show called “The Gruen Transfer” were challenged to create an ad campaign for the town which would promote the location to prospective visitors. One contestant’s ad read “Asbestos, Bad Name, Great Destination” while referencing other unfortunately named cities such as Boring, Oregon.

In 2011, the town was featured on The Daily Show. Correspondent Aasif Mandvi asked the town “Does ‘asbestos’ mean something different in French than it does in English?” Mandvi jokingly added that “in English, it means ‘slow, hacking death.’”

Although the name change seems like a no-brainer, changing the town’s name wasn’t an easy decision. For many Asbestos residents, the town name was a key part of their community’s history and identity as an asbestos mine town.

The idea to rename Asbestos was first proposed in 2006 but only recently gained real traction. After a vote in favor barely won with a 51% majority, the town has now been named “Val-des-Sources” – French for Valley of the Springs. According to Mayor Hugues Grimard, the town’s new name honors both their landscape and roots along with being, “above all, inspiring for the future.”

Other potential names for the town were Phénix – a mythical bird which is reborn from its ashes, L’Azur-des-Cantons – a reference to the deep blue color of a local lake, and Jeffrey-sur-le-Lac – acknowledging the farmer who founded the town’s asbestos mine in the 1870s.

Although locals have voted to change the name of the town, the new name is not yet official. In order to become official in the eyes of the government, provincial authorities must approve the change.

Asbestos Mine Health Risks

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineralwhich was prized due to its natural resistance to heat, fire, electricity, chemicals, and other stressors. As far back as the Stone Age, asbestos has been used to strengthen items with more modern applications including insulation, brake pads, and countless other items.

Asbestos mines were common in the early 1900s as worldwide demand for the mineral rapidly increased. However, when the carcinogenic nature of the mineral was discovered in the 1980s, asbestos mining companies were sent into a tailspin.

Although asbestos was once widely used, further research has revealed that there is no “safe” level of asbestos exposure. When asbestos deposits or asbestos containing products are disturbed, small asbestos fibers are released into the air where they can be inhaled or swallowed. Once inside the human body, these fibers can wreak havoc.

One possible result of asbestos exposure is asbestosis – a lung condition involving chronic damage and eventual hardening of the organs. Even worse, asbestos exposure is associated with several forms of cancer including the rare and deadly cancer mesothelioma.

Unfortunately, many people may not have been aware of the risks of asbestos exposure when they came into contact with the mineral through earlier jobs or military service. Carcinogenic consequences of this exposure can take years or even decades to form – meaning that some people may only now start developing asbestos-related health conditions even if they were exposed to the mineral before it was outlawed.