Epidemiologists in 20 countries released a position paper Tuesday calling for a worldwide ban on the mining, use and export of all forms of asbestos, or risk a 鈥減ublic health disaster鈥� from related illnesses.
In their statement, more than 150 public health organizations and individual scientists not only call for an outright ban, but also encourage governments to establish an inventory of asbestos that remains in buildings, particularly schools, where it poses a hazard to young children.
The experts call on countries that export asbestos, including Canada, Brazil and Russia, to cease asbestos-related operations and provide assistance to mining communities as they transition to other industries.
"Continued use of asbestos will lead to a public health disaster of asbestos-related illness and premature death for decades to come, repeating the epidemic we are witnessing today in industrialised countries that used asbestos in the past,"said Dr. Stanley Weiss, chair of the Joint Policy Committee of the Societies of Epidemiology (JPC-SE), which released the statement.
The JPC-SE is made up of a number of Canadian, U.S. and international epidemiology organizations. Epidemiologists study the causes of disease and potential prevention strategies.
Public health advocates have long warned of the health hazards of asbestos, including links to certain forms of lung cancer.
Earlier this year, the World Health Organization said it estimates that more than 107,000 people die each year around the world from asbestos-related illnesses. That figure is largely people who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace.
Industry advocates, however, argue that not all forms of asbestos pose the same risk, and that safety measures for workers handling asbestos have improved.
The Canadian asbestos industry says that chrysotile, the type of asbestos mined here, is not as dangerous.
But Prof. Colin Soskolne, past-president of the Canadian Society of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, on Tuesday accused the industry in a statement of trying 鈥渢o undermine public health policy by denying the overwhelming scientific evidence and promoting asbestos use in developing countries."
Canada鈥檚 asbestos industry has come under fire from critics, who argue Canada should stop exporting the substance for use in developing countries, particularly India, where regulations controlling its use remain lax.
While the Canadian industry has lagged and not long ago appeared to be set for collapse, the Quebec government swooped in with a lifeline late last month.
Both of Canada鈥檚 remaining asbestos mines are in the province and have been shuttered since last year. However, the province announced a $58-million cash injection, which will cover more than two-thirds of the cost of refurbishing and reopening the Jeffrey Mine in Asbestos, Que., giving it another 20 years of operation.
Advocates hope that the other mine, Lac d鈥檃miante in Thetford Mines, can also be restarted in the near future.
While the Jeffrey Mine refurbishment was hailed as a job-creation measure, the president of an association of Quebec medical specialists had another view.
"It makes me very sad," Dr. Yves Bonnier Viger said last month.
"It shows an insensitivity to the scientific data and a lack of respect for the health and well-being of the population.鈥�
With files from The Canadian Press
