Safety Update

Safety Update: Part I: Asbestos from Past to Present

Asbestos is the generic name given to the fibrous variety of six naturally occurring minerals that have been used in commercial products. Asbestos minerals have physical properties (high tensile strength, flexibility, resistance to heat and chemicals, high electrical resistance, and the capability to be woven like fabric) that make them useful in many commercial products.  Significant deposits of asbestos minerals can be found in both the US and Canada. 

White asbestos or chrysotile is considered less hazardous and may still be used in some parts of the world in brake linings and pipe insulation. Brown or amphibole asbestos, commonly found in industrial furnaces and heating systems, poses a significant risk to humans due to its structure.   Brown asbestos stay much longer in the lungs and inflict long term damage such as mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer.  

In the 1970s, the extraction and use of brown or amphibole asbestos was discontinued due to the health hazards associated with it.  Chrysotile is still used legally in many countries in chrysotile-cement products such as shingles and pipes because of its durability. It is also used in components for the military and nuclear industries because it can withstand high temperatures.  

Asbestos was once known as the "magic mineral" and was touted as Canadian gold — a unique resource that was going to bring widespread wealth and prosperity. Asbestos was first mined in Quebec in the 1870s. During this time, Canada boasted the world's biggest open pit mine, the Jeffrey Mine located in the Quebec's eastern townships. The industry thrived and a town was even named after it; Asbestos, Quebec. However, during the 1960s and '70s, asbestos exposure was categorically linked to occupational illness and disease to include asbestosis (lung scarring) and mesothelioma. 

Quebec has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world. In 2005, a World Health Organization publication dubbed all types of asbestos as carcinogenic because of its potential to cause cancer. Globally, about 125 million people are exposed to asbestos at work and at least 100,000 die each year from asbestos-related disease. Due to this, over 50 countries have banned asbestos extraction, manufacture and use to include the European Union and Australia. 

Nevertheless, chrysotile asbestos continues to be mined in Canada and our country is the second-largest exporter of the mineral after Russia, shipping it mainly to developing countries such as India and China. In 1984, the Chrysotile Institute, a non-profit organization, was formed in Canada to promote the adoption of standards and safe work practices for the controlled use of chrysotile asbestos. The institute provided technical and financial aid for the creation of associations to distribute health and safety information, organize training and standardize chrysotile regulations worldwide. 

Today, there is still a push in Canada to ban asbestos production altogether. In July 2007, the Canadian Cancer Society called on the federal government to phase out both the use and export of all types of asbestos in a plight to eliminate asbestos related disease. In March of 2011, the Society expressed extreme disappointment that the Federal Government included funding for the Chrysotile Institute in its spending plans for 2010-11 (click here to read the media release). Again, in February of this year, 25 health organizations and the Canadian Cancer Society sent a letter to the finance minister in a plight to stop funding for the safe use of crysotile asbestos and requested that there be a clear timetable for phasing out the export and use of asbestos. 

Despite all of these setbacks, the Canadian Cancer Society continues to work hard to end the exposure to asbestos through training and the lobbying. The truth of the matter is that asbestos production is a dying industry in Canada and export has decreased 75% since the 1980s because of transportation costs and the ability for other countries to sell the asbestos at a lesser cost. The irony is the impact and cost asbestos has incurred for Canadian workers. 

Next Time - Part II: Asbestos Safe Work Practices

A note to our readers:  The May issue of Alberta Occupational Health & Safety magazine recently published an article on asbestos hazards in home renovations.  This article reminds us that safety is not only just a workplace issue but also something that impacts our lives off hours.  For this reason we will be expanding our Safety Update articles to include topics such as safety in our homes.  

If you would like to suggest a topic or be a guest writer please send us an email to info@ecompliance.ca.

Thank you,