Bitumen baths are all the rage in certain regions of the world including Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Iran. Tourists flock to areas on the Dead Sea in order to use the black mud, rich in bitumen, for baths and other spa services. One local businessman has proposed a Fort McMurray spa which would provide a bitumen bath along with other specialized services, and the project would include other elements as well. The proposal includes a hotel, a research centre dedicated to bitumen, and a fine arts centre as well. The Salai Project Inc. and company founder Louis “Buff” Parry, are behind the idea on how to use bitumen in an innovative and healthy way. During a phone interview with media Parry explained “The central point is there have been other uses humans have had for bitumen for 40,000 years. I’ve had encounters with people who just hate bitumen, and then they are shocked to know humans have used it for thousands of years.”

Residents should not expect to be able to visit a Fort McMurray spa and take advantage of a bitumen bath any time in the near future though. Parry still has to have a feasibility study performed if the project is to move forward. There are advocates and opponents of bitumen baths. Some swear that this substance can help treat a wide range of medical and health conditions. There are also experts who point out that bitumen can contain many cancer causing compounds though. Parry told the media that “There is not an incident of it having a direct negative health impact. Improper use could, but that’s true for everything. It can be toxic only if you don’t know what you’re doing. The world is ready for this and aware already of these spa resorts. It’s worked in Israel, in Jordan and Azerbaijan. It just seems a very logical prospect to consider for Alberta.”