Dust from Wabush Mines needs to get under control: mayor

Some people in western Labrador are complaining about the dust that has been blowing in totheir community from the idled Wabush Mines.

Wabush Mayor Colin Vardy said since Cliffs Natural Resources idled the project in February, the company hasn't had as much control over the debris at the site.

Vardy said it's impressive what the company has done so far to deal with the dust blowing into his town, but more needs to be done.

"To say that they're doing nothing is not correct, but they definitely need to do more, there's no question about it," he said.

"We appreciate their efforts, and I'm sure everybody [does], but they need to step it up to the next level because there is a substantial amount of dust blowing through our communities."

Kids kept indoors

Natalie Lacey said the dust has gotten so bad, she's had to keep her children indoors some days.

"You've got kids and they want to go outside and play. What do you tell them on a day like today?" she said.

"I recently have painted my living room windows. You know,you leave the window open for 10or 15minutes and you havedustand dirt and just a film of unhealthiness sitting on your windowsill and the floor."

Some residents in the area have started circulating a petition online to make sure something further is done.

To date, about 1,000 have signed on to get the provincial government to put pressure on the company to get the dust under control.