FAAE Committee Report

RECOMMENDATION 1

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada develop a national chrysotile policy based on the research, promotion and safe use of this product.

The Government of Canada is acting in general accordance with this recommendation in that it has a Minerals and Metals Policy that lays out the federal role and guides its activities in the field. The Safe Use Principle is one of the pillars of Canada's Minerals and Metals Policy. This Principle recognizes that mineral substances provide significant benefits to society, but may also pose risks. On the basis of sound science, these risks need to be identified and managed throughout the entire life cycle of the substance – from extraction to final disposal.

The Government of Canada's approach to chrysotile is wholly consistent with its Minerals and Metals Policy, and with the Safe Use Principle. It recognizes the value of chrysotile as a useful industrial commodity that can be safely used when properly controlled. Further, the Government's considered approach to this substance extends to Canada's reputation as a responsible exporter of chrysotile.

The term “asbestos” applies to six naturally occurring minerals. Asbestos-related diseases generally result from entry of the asbestos fibres into the body via the respiratory tract. Some of the most common health effects from occupational exposure include fibrosis and asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. As the health effects of unsafe occupational exposure to asbestos began to be understood, Canada imposed strict controls on all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, at the federal level, and encouraged controls at provincial and territorial levels, beginning in 1979 (although some provinces already had regulations). It is key to know that there is scientific evidence showing that chrysotile is significantly less potent than other forms of asbestos, particularly with respect to mesotheliomia and lung cancer. However, the Government of Canada treats all forms of asbestos as potentially harmful to human health and subject to strict control in the case of chrysotile, or outright bans – for example in the case of crocidolite.

Chrysotile is the only form of asbestos fibre produced in Canada. Because of their chemical and physical properties, chrysotile fibres are a valuable industrial material, principally used in fibre-reinforced cement construction products, including water distribution and sewer pipes, corrugated roofing and building shingles. These are low-cost, high-quality infrastructure materials of particular benefit to rapidly industrializing countries. Chrysotile is also used in friction products such as brake linings and clutch facings and in textiles, clothing and various other uses.

The combined federal, provincial and territorial regimes for chrysotile (a) ban practices and products that are unsafe, (b) regulate the occupational use of chrysotile in mining, milling, transportation and manufacturing, and (c) regulate emissions from production and manufacturing processes.

At the federal level, the Canada Labour Code limits exposure in federally regulated workplaces and requires controls if these limits are exceeded. All provincial and territorial occupational health authorities have also adopted stringent workplace exposure limits for all forms of asbestos. Emissions of asbestos into the environment from mining and milling operations are controlled by a regulation under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. In addition, consumer products that release asbestos fibres, as well as the sale of pure asbestos, have been banned under the Hazardous Products Act.

To encourage the proper use of chrysotile internationally, the Government of Canada (along with the Government of Quebec and the industry itself) supports the Chrysotile Institute, a non-profit organization formed in 1984. The Institute promotes the adoption and application of appropriate prevention and control measures, regulations, standards, work practices and techniques for the safety in the use of chrysotile. The Institute participates in international conferences and carries out health and safety seminars and training programs on safety in the use and handling of chrysotile. It has conducted missions to over 60 countries.

RECOMMENDATION 2

That the Government of Canada conduct a comparative study on the “hazardous nature” of replacement fibres and chrysotile.

The Government of Canada agrees with the intent of the Committee's recommendation.

At the request of the Government of Canada, the World Health Organization (WHO) is currently organizing a workshop that includes assessment of chrysotile substitutes for November, 2005. This initiative includes several vitreous fibres, along with a number of others, such as: aramid and para-aramid fibres, carbon/graphite, wollastonite, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibres, polypropylene fibres, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fibres, attapulgite, polyethylene fibres, aluminium silicates, basic magnesium sulphate whisker, erionite, ductile iron, mica, phosphate, polyacryl nitryl, polytetrafluoroethylene, potassium titanate whisker, semi-metallics, silicon carbide whisker and steel fibres.

The Government of Canada is closely following this initiative. Rather than duplicate the efforts of this international organization, the Government will review and consider the results of the WHO workshop before taking further action in this area.

RECOMMENDATION 3

That the Government of Canada (A) organize a public education campaign on chrysotile and, in so doing, promote the safe use of this product domestically and internationally; and (B) encourage its own use of chrysotile.

1. The Government of Canada promotes safety in the use of chrysotile by regulation, as described in response to Recommendation 1. While governments at all levels have a clear responsibility to safeguard worker and consumer safety, it is the industry itself that is responsible for promoting the value of the product and its applications.
   
   At the international level, the promotion of safety in the use of chrysotile is part of the mandate of the Chrysotile Institute, which is equally supported by industry and the governments of Canada and Quebec. The Institute's activity highlights in fiscal year 2004-05 included 15 missions to 10 countries to train or meet with governments, hosting five delegations from six countries to inform on safety in the use of chrysotile, and responding to more than 25 information requests per month regarding chrysotile production, consumption, regulation, technical and health questions.
2. The Government of Canada's procurement policies establish a level playing field between suppliers and their products. Thus, it would be inappropriate for the Government to favour a particular commodity, except on the basis of its cost and performance in relation to other comparable commodities, for defined applications. Therefore, the Government of Canada neither discriminates against nor favours the use of this substance.