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July 6 - August 10, 2012 |
Asbestos: Canadians at risk from the silent killer
More than 107,000 people die each year from illnesses related to the highly carcinogenic fibrous substance
By Concita Minutola
Originally Published: 2012-03-11
“The government’s commitment to transparency on (the issue of) asbestos is disappointing.”
Dan Demers, Director of Public Issues of the Canadian Cancer Society, explains to Corriere Canadese/Tandem that despite the awareness of the risks related to this substance, Canada still has much to do to protect its citizens and those of other countries.
According to one study, taken into consideration by the Canadian Cancer Society, about 152,000 Canadians are exposed to asbestos through work. The data was collected by Carex Canada, a team of researchers from the School of Environmental Health, at University of British Columbia.
According to the World Health Organization, about 125 million people are exposed to asbestos fibres throughout the world. Over 107,000 people die each year from illnesses such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, caused by this highly carcinogenic fibrous substance. Exposure to asbestos can also cause tumour of the larynx and ovaries. Asbestos was a truly valuable resource for Canada. It was used as insulating material in the construction industry, although when the science community learned of the dangers, Canadian industry continued to export it abroad. Today, the sector is in crisis, but asbestos dust continues to be a threat from inside walls and roofs of houses and offices, ready to be released, or into the lungs of many Canadians who discover the consequences only years later.
“The Canadian Cancer Society urges the government to divulge all the information on buildings containing asbestos, homes, public offices, and schools,” Demers says. “So far, we’re disappointed because the government has not yet provided Canadians with this information to determine if they, their families, or work colleagues, have been exposed.”
The Canadian Cancer Society continues to ask government to make information on contaminated buildings public.
“We also asked for the creation of a national registry of cases of illnesses related to asbestos. Individuals who may have been in contact must be informed and undergo regular clinical exams. The registry would also help health personnel evaluate the impact on public health of the number of people becoming ill due to asbestos. Therefore, we want the government to tell us where the asbestos is, and who is affected by it.”
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