Canadians are well aware that asbestos causes cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Health Organization (PDF) state that all types of asbestos are cancer-causing and harmful when inhaled. And yet, Canada stills produces it for export to countries like India.
Only two asbestos mines still exist in Canada. One will close later this month, but the other aims to expand, exporting 200,000 tonnes of asbestos each year. The Quebec government is considering making this possible with a 58 million dollar loan guarantee, and the federal government continues to support the asbestos trade.
How can we justify producing and exporting this carcinogenic substance when our own health advocates, like the Canadian Medical Association, say it should be banned?
Tell Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Quebec Premier Jean Charest to stop propping up the asbestos industry. Let them know that you don’t support this unethical practice.
Read more in Docs Talk: Who’s keeping the Canadian asbestos industry alive? (by Dr. Kapil Khatter)
(Photo credit: Daremoshiranai via Flickr.)
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