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Asbestos, Quebec Putting Asbestos Past Behind

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After a 120 year history, Asbestos, Quebec is putting its asbestos past behind. Asbestos is known throughout the world as a deadly mineral comprised of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled, can cause diseases such as lung cancer, the deadly mesothelioma, and asbestosis. There is no safe level of exposure according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

History of Asbestos, Quebec

In 1879, the Jeffrey Mine opened. This was the beginning of the town that bore the name of the mineral that brought wealth, high-paying employment, and – eventually – a negative notoriety to Asbestos, Quebec.

By the 1920s, the dangers of asbestos were known, but ignored. The mining companies were not willing to lose the large profits from the mines. The mineral was becoming recognized throughout the world for its many properties including insulation and fire-retardance. Products and new ways of using the mineral were rapidly created. Asbestos, Quebec became a well-known exporter of asbestos for the world. By 1969, Asbestos had to relocate from its original site to allow room for the Jeffrey Mine expansion.

However, by the 1970s and 1980s, demand began to decrease as the dangers of asbestos, known to mine owners and manufacturers since the 1920s, became known to the public as well.

It was 2011 before the mines closed, along with Jeffery Mine tours the public could take into the western world’s largest mine. With the mine closures, Asbestos was hit hard with unemployment, bringing about a need for new industries bringing jobs to the small town.

Bringing new business to Asbestos, Quebec

Town officials began a search for new businesses, but immediately ran into objections based on the town’s name. As far back as 2006, the idea of a name change was suggested to the citizens. At that time it was rejected by those who remembered the history of their town with pride, despite the reputation of asbestos. Even today, many people in Asbestos believe there is a use for asbestos under safe and controlled circumstances.

In 2019, Mayor Hugues Grimard stated, “If we want to go further in terms of economic development, then we don’t have the choice. The media attention of our past stays with us any time we do anything.” Not only the media is a roadblock, but also the reputation of the word, “asbestos.” Many corporations do not want that negative image attached to their company and products.

A few new businesses located to the town, but not nearly enough to replace the enormous economic impact of the asbestos mines. Companies that did relocate to Asbestos have to fight the town’s name with customers who often think their products contain asbestos.

And the new name is?

A notice says the “city council remains aware that the history of Asbestos and its heritage are very dear to everyone. This is why these elements will be taken into account throughout the process.”

To give everyone a chance to rename the town, the council opened the search for a new name to the citizens of Asbestos – even those as young as 14. There were several requirements for suggestions: they must reflect the area or people, no saints or other names of persons, and it must be in French. After collecting all the suggestions, a committee will review and select five or fewer to be voted on by the people. The winner will be announced in May, 2020 and Asbestos, Quebec will take on a new character – one without the dark history of asbestos.

Colombia Banned Asbestos!

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In a unanimous ruling of the Colombian Congress, Colombia banned asbestos effective immediately. The ruling makes Colombia the seventh country in the world to completely ban the mineral and it joins over sixty countries. This is a positive step to ridding the world of new asbestos products in Colombia and throughout the world.

Victims were invited to the Congress before the final vote to share their testimonies about the illnesses and deaths they, and others, experienced because of asbestos. This deadly mineral is already at least partially banned in 60 countries; however, in the United States it is still not banned though there is world-wide scientific consensus there is no safe level of asbestos.

What does this mean for Colombia?

The Colombian Congress debated for 12 years before coming to this agreement, but now there is a complete ban. Companies that produce floor tiles, adhesives, cement products, coatings, pipeline wrap, felts, and reinforced plastics and many other products will be affected. By 2021, they must change to non-harmful compounds rather than asbestos. They will be aided in the change by the Ministry of Labor. Additionally Colombia banned asbestos mining and exportation.

Why ban asbestos?

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 100,000 people die each year worldwide due to asbestos. Colombia estimates 1700 citizens died from asbestos exposure over the past 50 years. Exposure to the mineral can lead to lung cancer, asbestosis, and the deadly malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can take up to 50 years for diagnosis, but once diagnosed victims rarely live beyond two years. Fibers generally enter through the lungs. Since there is no safe level of exposure, a complete ban is essential to human health.

There will still be asbestos in products produced before the ban, this is a great first effort for Colombia to eliminate asbestos in their environment.

Earth Day 2019 – Protect and Save Every Category of Animal

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This year, the theme and focus for Earth Day is “to protect and save every category of animal.” Earth Day is given a theme each year that focuses on one issue affecting our planet.  While there are some creatures that make it difficult to understand their purpose, such as fire ants, every creature is a part of the food chain and makes a contribution to Earth’s ecosystem.

Some species are lost because of natural causes, but others are lost because of man-made actions, such as using synthetic fertilizers, elimination of forests or other natural habitats, and hunting.

A few of the many animals already extinct

• Passenger pigeons – In 1808, John James Audubon wrote of a migrating flock which passed over his head blocking the sun for three straight days. He estimated the flock at over two billion birds!

• The Dodo – This bird, located in Mauritius, attained notoriety with its mention in Alice in Wonderland. Sailors first saw them in 1598 and the last sighting was in 1662.

• Western black rhinoceros – Poachers led to the demise of this animal. In 1980 there were hundreds in sub-Saharan Africa, but only ten by 2000. By 2011, they were declared extinct along with two other black rhino subspecies.

• Tasmanian tiger – The last of these died in 1936 in a zoo, but what an interesting creature it was! The website of the American Museum of Natural History says it was “shaped like a dog, striped like a tiger or zebra, pouched like an opossum, and behaved like a wolf. Its limited territory could not sustain this animal as dogs, hunting, disease, and human population growth all led to its extinction.

Other animals that may soon be extinct

These are just a few of the many animals no longer on this planet, but others are headed to the same fate. Among those may be some of your favorite animals – lions, tigers, elephants, whales, jaguars, and sharks.

Since their natural habitats are often places of danger for them, zoos have stepped up to try to save many of these species with habitats mimicking their natural territories and creating breeding programs and animal exchanges with other zoos to keep the lines clear of inbreeding. Here is an opportunity to test your knowledge identifying a few of the endangered animals.

How can you protect and save every category of animal?

That seems like a gargantuan feat, but all big changes start with small steps. There are many things you can do from your own home.

Go organic

First, go organic for fertilizers and weed/insect control on your lawn, garden, and inside your home. Toxic products kill the ‘good’ bugs right along with the ones you want to kill. Going organic means the yard eventually takes care of itself as the beneficial insects eat or chase away the others. It may take a while if toxic products have been used in the past, but it’s worth the effort. In addition, organic solutions aren’t harmful to the larger animals, such as dogs, cats, squirrels, etc. Plant flowers and trees that attract the insects you want – and need – and repel the others. A healthy environment is left as natural as possible to let the ecosystem work as it was intended.

This also applies to weeds. Weeds like unhealthy soils (toxic soils that have lost their nutrients). Toxins can stay in the soil for a long time and, while it may turn your yard green quickly, it is not healthy for the grass or the tiny creatures in the soil that are trying to rid your yard of the undesirables. There are a number of natural weed killers, such as 30% vinegar and corn gluten meal.

Care for pets

If you have pets, be sure they’re spayed or neutered. The overflow of their offspring at shelters means many of these puppies and kittens are euthanized. Be a kind and thoughtful pet owner and prevent this unnecessary waste of life.

Defeat poachers

Watch what you buy – especially online. Avoid any products that might attract poachers, such as rhinoceros’ horns, exotic animal skins, or elephant tusks which can be made into art pieces. While this may seem an unnecessary comment, someone is buying these since poachers are still in business.

Endangered animals kept as exotic pets are illegal. This is another way poachers thrive and animals become extinct.

Plastics

Think about what you throw away. We all know that plastics are a menace to our environment, and to many creatures. Plastic rings from cans and bottles can trap animals leading to a gruesome death. Cut them so they won’t entangle them. Plastics are invading, not only our landfills, parks, and beaches, but our oceans with dreadful consequences. There are substitutes for most plastics, investigate alternatives and gain new habits.

Our blue planet

We all have a responsibility to do our part in keeping our global home clean, thriving, healthy, and its creatures – large and small – living their natural lives without the harmful intervention of those who just don’t care.

On this Earth Day, think about one thing you are willing to do to make our world a better place for all of us who live here. Let Earth Day 2019 be a start of positive changes for all the creatures on our beautiful blue planet.

Two Decades After Ban, Asbestos Still Kills 5,000 Britons Each Year

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Not surprisingly, two decades after the ban, asbestos still kills 5,000 Britons each year. That’s because symptoms of disease often don’t show up until 20 to 40 years – or more – after exposure. This long exposure time is one of the reasons it is often not recognized as an imminent danger, yet the fibers inhaled many years in the past are poised to show up as lung cancer, asbestosis, or the deadly mesothelioma after the initial exposure is just a memory.

Asbestos still kills 5,000 Britons each year

The long exposure time is only one reason it is still killing after all these years. Though the mineral was outlawed 20 years ago in Britain, asbestos still exists in government, commercial, and residential buildings built before 1999. While not a threat when undisturbed, these buildings often are at an age when renovation, or even demolition, is required. If this work is not done by an authorized abatement company, the possibility of exposure from the dust created is high. To cut corners, renovators and do-it-yourself handymen often skip this critical step and the countdown to possible diseases in the distant future starts again.

The report from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) verified that people today are still being exposed – often because of non-compliance with regulations. In the past year, over 130 British companies or individuals were ordered to stop work because of rule-breaking.

As Bev Bessinger, IOSH chief executive said, “It is unacceptable that 20 years on from asbestos being banned in Britain, organisations are still potentially putting at risk the lives of employees, their families, and other members of the public. Thousands die in Britain every year from cancers like mesothelioma, while many more are diagnosed with it. All this is preventable through good occupational safety and health. It is time for organisations to wake up and realise how dangerous asbestos is. There are no excuses.”

Dr. Nick Hopkinson, medical director at the British Lung Foundation, reinforced this message by confirming, “Currently the only treatments available are aimed at slowing the progression of the disease and improving quality of life. This devastating disease is preventable, and the dangers of asbestos are well known. It’s vital companies are vigilant and take the proper precautions to protect people from the life-threatening dangers of asbestos, and take urgent action if asbestos has been found.”

Asbestos still kills 15,000 Americans each year

This number of deaths is not acceptable. The United States has not taken the necessary steps to ban asbestos, even though it has been banned in 55 countries. Though some uses are no longer allowed in the US, others are – especially in commercial applications. We know homes and other buildings constructed before the 1980s have a high likelihood of asbestos in areas such as drywall, insulation, siding, roofing, tile mastic, and insulation around pipes. When will the US stop new uses of this deadly mineral?

Brakes on the Toxic Substances Control Act

This act showed promise to finally ban, or strictly control, asbestos as it was identified as one of the ten high risk chemicals set for EPA evaluation. Unfortunately, the ground rules for the EPA’s evaluation under the Trump administration has softened the likelihood of a ban and shockingly, may perhaps even allow new uses of the fiber.

A legacy of death for the future

Like those in the U.K. who work on demolition or renovation of pre-1980 era buildings, workers and their families can be exposed to asbestos if not careful to have suspicious areas checked by an abatement professional. Click here to see a comprehensive FAQ checklist of asbestos products, reporting information, and testing guidelines. Since there is no outright ban, new asbestos-containing materials can still be imported into the US. As seen in the British report, once a ban is in place, people contracting asbestos-related diseases continue for decades into the future. Until importation and new uses are stopped completely, there is no end in sight for the victims of asbestos.

Failure to Ban Asbestos Remains a Global Problem

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As of 2018, the failure to ban asbestos remains a global problem that will plague the world for many decades to come. Though 66 countries have banned asbestos because of its proven health risk, there are still many that have not. In fact, half of the G20 countries still mine or use asbestos. The G20 countries comprise the 20 top countries contributing to the global economy. Almost two-thirds of the world population lives in these countries, producing four-fifths of the gross world products and three-quarters of global trade. G20 countries that have not banned asbestos include the United States and our North American neighbors, Canada and Mexico.

Asbestos regulations in the US, Canada, and Mexico

USA

Though there are some limitations, the United States has not banned the use of asbestos. In 1918 a report on diseases from asbestos exposure was published. Through the following decades additional research documented the impact on health. Yet, the 1960s through the 1970s saw widespread use of asbestos in everything from ships, to multiple construction applications, to brake linings, to any industry using high heat processes – even in baby powder.

Efforts to ban the mineral have been ongoing for many years. In 1970 the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed outlining guidelines for use. In 1971, OSHA issued the first regulation for general industry. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) first recommended a ban on asbestos in the workplace in 1976. Other partial bans were put in place in the decades since, but many asbestos-containing products are still allowed in US markets. The 2016 revised Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) provided some hope that a ban could come, but only time will tell.

As a consequence of these prior – and current – exposures, 12,000-15,000 Americans continue to die each year due to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Other deaths occur due to various cancers of the larynx, ovary, and complications from non-malignant asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos-caused diseases are preventable. Science has proven that all levels of any type of asbestos can be deadly. A strategy to prevent further exposures through a complete ban on all manufacture, import, and use of asbestos has been proven effective. There is no logical reason to delay a ban.

CANADA

The Canadian government has promised a comprehensive ban on the mineral this year. Two health agencies, Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada, sponsored the Prohibition of Asbestos and Asbestos Products Regulations that would prohibit the import, use, and sale of asbestos and products containing it. However, there are anti-asbestos champions that say these regulations would have too many exemptions and would not cover asbestos-containing products produced and installed before the regulations take effect.

Canada had one of the largest asbestos mines in the world from the 1870s until its closure in 2011. Throughout the decades, government agencies supported this highly profitable industry despite hard evidence of the health risks. Gabriel Miller, vice-president of public issues for the Canadian Cancer Society, explained the change in direction, “What a ban says is: We admit, all asbestos causes deadly cancers, and it comes in no safe form. And ending the denial and the delay that’s defined our approach to asbestos in Canada is the first step to healing the scars of this substance.”

MEXICO

Mexican companies use asbestos in many products – roofing, boilers, pipes, brakes, and wires are a few of the products produced by over 2,000 Mexican companies. Mexico, along with China and India, leads the asbestos market for developing countries. The material is cheap and versatile, and therefore appealing to these countries in spite of the proven health hazards. Because of this growing market, experts predict deaths from asbestos may reach ten million worldwide by 2030 and thousands of those will come from Mexico.

The Mexican Social Security Institute oversees public health under the federal Secretariat of Health. A physician and researcher with the institute, Dr. Guadalupe Aguilar Madrid, asserts the weak worker protection laws permitted these dangerous conditions to continue. “The epidemic can grow like it grew in the countries that started to work with asbestos after the Second World War.” She predicts the death toll from asbestos-related diseases will rise from 1,500 currently to approximately 5,000 annually and will continue to rise without a total ban of asbestos. While any asbestos-caused cancer can be deadly, that is especially so with mesothelioma. Yet, health experts estimate only 29% of mesothelioma deaths are reported.

Aguilar points to an asbestos trade association, the Instituto Mexicano de Fibro Industrias (IMFI) as the lead in opposing restrictions or a ban on asbestos. The founder and president of this group, Luis Cejudo Alva, proclaimed, “Why does this lady [Aguilar] say that the dust that comes from the asbestos sheets kills people? It is only dust . . . These sheets are an answer for people’s needs.” The IMFI and the Mexican government are in close agreement, meaning an asbestos ban in Mexico is not seen for the foreseeable future. Despite all the scientific proof of the deadly consequences of asbestos exposure, Mexico works hand-in-hand with Russia to not only keep asbestos in their respective countries, but to encourage other countries to continue its use as well. To disguise the continued use of asbestos, the word “asbestos” is no longer used. It is now the “fibre industry” making “fibre-cement” products, but this fibre industry will kill Mexican citizens for many decades to come.

North America’s failure to ban asbestos

While the three North American countries could have been world leaders in the abolishment of asbestos, they are instead responsible for the painful deaths of thousands of their citizens and citizens throughout the world who received imported asbestos products or exported them to North America.

Asbestos-related diseases are totally preventable, but with the long delay between exposure and diagnosis, it is imperative to ban these products immediately. They are embedded in the fabric of our lives and it will take a concentrated effort to remove those already installed and stop – completely – any further mining or use. That day seems very distant, but it is important that we citizens speak up to our governments and let them know we understand the dangers from their failure to ban asbestos.

In the US, contact your congressional representatives and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and let responsible parties know a ban is necessary. Clean up, North America.