In Canada,
the laws concerning asbestos can at times appear contradictory. The country has
put nationwide regulations in place banning the use of certain types
of asbestos in many products, yet the country continues to export
chrysotile asbestos to developing countries around the world, a scenario that
many Canadians find to be quite perplexing.
Asbestos legislation in Canada can best be
characterized as a struggle between the government and the asbestos industry,
opposed by medical organizations, labor unions and concerned citizens who truly
understand the dangers of asbestos use. Recently, a number of politicians have
supported the asbestos ban, rallying to pass laws that will eventually lower
Canada’s startlingly-high rate of asbestos-related deaths. Many people,
however, still defend the industry.
Regulations on Asbestos Use
The Canadian Government has indeed imposed some
regulations on asbestos use. According to Health Canada, "The sale of pure
asbestos and certain high-risk consumer products that are composed of or
contain asbestos fibres is strictly regulated under the Hazardous Products Act.
In addition, the emissions of asbestos into the environment from mining and
milling operations are subject to the Canadian Environmental Protection
Act."
Currently, the country is spending billions of
dollars to remove asbestos from schools, factories, plants and other commercial
buildings.
Until just recently, laws permitted the use of
chrysotile asbestos in certain children’s toys in Canada, and as recently as
2010, the government was considering the possibility of reopening the open pit
Jeffrey Mine in Quebec, which would allow the asbestos exports industry to
grow. Proponents claim that the industry promotes safe use of asbestos
in the countries to which they sell. Those who oppose the asbestos exports
industry claim that most of these countries do not have proper health and
safety regulations in place to regulate use of the material.
Due to the controversy surrounding the asbestos
industry in Canada, it is not expected that an overall ban on asbestos will
happen soon. Canada successfully led a campaign to block the listing of
asbestos as a toxic material on the Prior Informed Consent list at the
Rotterdam Convention in 2004 and then again in 2008, backed by a number of
other countries with an interest in asbestos mining.
Health Canada Study
In early 2008, it was revealed that Health
Canada had quietly begun a study on the dangers of chrysotile asbestos. The
organization said it was undertaking the research to "help further
Canada's knowledge of chrysotile asbestos fibres in relation to human
health" and to update the World Health Organization's last published
assessment on the subject from 1998.
Unfortunately, the two scientists on the project
were supporters of the chrysotile asbestos industry, and the organization
refused to announce when the results of the study would be released. In a
written statement, Health Canada said that they found chrysotile asbestos to be
"safe when used under controlled conditions," and safe use of the
material would be regulated by Canada both domestically and abroad.
Thanks to http://www.asbestos.com/
