Demand for Asbestos Ban by Canadian Cancer Society

The Canadian Cancer Society has called for a ban on the use and export of deadly carcinogen asbestos that is mined in Quebec, a Canadian province. According to the CEO of Canadian Cancer Society, Barbara Whylie,

The society believes that exposure to asbestos must stop so that asbestos-related diseases can be eliminated.

The society has not set a deadline for the ban yet. They have recommended a just and fair transitional plan for the people who will be affected by eliminating the use of asbestos. A former asbestos mine worker and now a NDP MP, Pat Martin says that he is very happy about it and termed asbestos as “the greatest industrial killer” that has ever been discovered. Mr. Martin praised the cancer society for its efforts and rejected the policy of the federal governments for the fear of offending Quebec as it is the only place in Canada where asbestos is mined and exported to under developed countries of the world.

However, the Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn has defended the Quebec government’s mining and export of asbestos with the statement that the only kind of asbestos mined in Quebec is chrysotile that is safe when properly used. He also confirmed the report that the government had opposed the listing of chrysotile asbestos in International List of Toxic Substances. He further said that it was time that Canadian Cancer Society debunked the myth that chrysolite asbestos is safer than other types of asbestos and is safe when used properly.

A 2006 report by the Centre for the Study of Living standards said 30% of workplace mortalities in 2004 were related to asbestos. It also said the mortality rate from asbestos had risen to 1.8 per 100,000 workers in 2004 from 0.4 in 1996.

In its statement, the Canadian Cancer Society made no special case or reference to chrysotile asbestos. It was only mentioned that chrysotile was the most commonly used form of asbestos in the world, a substance that has been linked to lung cancer, asbestosis and a numerous other diseases.

Other party leaders have also denounced the governments attempt to block the ban on asbestos. According to the Green Party leader, Elizabeth May, Canada’s efforts to block ban on asbestos are a disgrace and smear on the country’s reputation.

source : Health Magazine