Ottawa – September 18, 2012 - The Canadian Lung Association praises the federal government's announcement that it will no longer oppose the inclusion of chrysotile asbestos in the Rotterdam Convention, an international list of hazardous substances. Federal Industry Minister Christian Paradis made the announcement on Friday.
The addition of chrysotile asbestos to the Rotterdam Convention's Prior Informed Consent List would mean that any country importing the material would be made fully aware of its health hazards and could make an informed choice about the use of chrysotile asbestos in their country.
"This is a great step that will advance international efforts to combat asbestos-related disease", says Christopher Wilson, director of public affairs and advocacy for the Canadian Lung Association. "By clearing the way for the addition of chrysotile asbestos to the international hazardous materials list, the federal government is helping to protect the health of millions of people around the world."
Based on extensive scientific evidence that asbestos in all forms is harmful to health, the Canadian Lung Association has concluded that the best way to eliminate asbestos-related lung diseases is to stop its use. Although asbestos is banned for use in most Canadian products, it is still mined in Canada, exported and widely used in other countries. This places people who work with the material at risk of being exposed to asbestos and developing asbestos-related diseases.
"We also applaud the federal government for its decision offer up to $50-million to help towns dependent on the asbestos industry diversify their economies," said Wilson. "An early end to asbestos production in Canada is essential for the protection of human health."
About 125 million people in the world are exposed to asbestos at the workplace. More than 107,000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesotheliomaand asbestosis resulting from occupational exposure, according to estimates by the World Health Organizationi.
Media Inquiries:
Christopher Wilson
Director of Public Affairs and Advocacy
Canadian Lung Association
(613) 298-5464
cwilson@lung.ca
