Canada's Asbestos Mining Comes to a Stop, For Now

For the first time in more than a century, asbestos mining in Canada has halted. Canada's two mines, Jeffrey Mine and Lac d'amiante du Canada, stopped asbestos production earlier this month because of financial obstacles and operational difficulties. The asbestos industry in Canada enjoys long, lucrative and tumultuous history, and this marks the first time in 130 years that the country's asbestos mines are shut down. The stoppage reignited a debate of the dangers of asbestos. Protesters were recently on Parliament Hill advocating for the mines to be shut down. While asbestos companies believe the shutdown is temporary, critics are hopeful that Canada's halt of production is permanent. Strong Opposition, Little Consensus Canadians appear divided on the issue of asbestos mining, production, exportation and overall use of the mineral. Historically, the Canadian government supported the industry through favorable legislation and economic incentives while opponents, especially those from the scientific and medical community, pushed back against those same incentives and also pushed for heavier regulation. Earlier this month, opponents gathered on Parliament Hill to advocate for the final closing of the asbestos industry. "I wonder (if) it doesn't make them feel bad inside, because they don't know how it feels, they don't know how it feels to have a grandmother and a grandfather die of asbestos," said 11-year-old Cavanagh Matmor, one of recent protesters on Parliament Hill. She lo...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Asbestos Exposure & Bans Source Type: news