It isn't the same thing (I hope!) but it reminds me of McIntyre Powder. Miners were told by their company to use a fine aluminum/aluminium dust they breathed in before going to work in a mine.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31532354/

"McIntyre Powder (MP) is a finely ground aluminum powder that was used between 1943 and 1979 as a prophylaxis for silicosis. Silicosis is a chronic lung disease caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica dust and was prevalent in the Canadian mining industry during this time period."