Asbestos News

The attempt to revive Quebec's flagging asbestos industry recently hit a serious roadblock as one of the largest unions in the Canadian province said that the government should not support the revival of the Jeffrey asbestos mine.

The Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) announced that it would no longer lend its support to the asbestos mining industry, according to the Montreal Gazette. The CSN reportedly represents about 300,000 workers across Quebec.

"Asbestos is hardly used in Quebec today, but is exported to developing countries like India," union president Claudette Carbonneau told the news source. "If the health and safety conditions do not prevent these fatal illnesses in Quebec, it is difficult to claim asbestos can be safely used in these developing countries."

It has been known since the mid-1960s that exposure to asbestos can cause a range of serious illnesses such as malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. These illnesses can affect those who handle the substance as part of their jobs (like asbestos miners) and also those who come into contact with the naturally occurring mineral in everyday situations.

Earlier this month, the Canadian federal government withdrew its funding for the Chrysotile Institute, an asbestos industry lobbying organization.