Asbestos in drinking water

Asbestos in drinking water

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Although asbestos is a known human carcinogen by the inhalation route, available epidemiological studies do not support the hypothesis that an increased cancer risk is associated with the ingestion of asbestos in drinking-water. Moreover, in extensive feeding studies in animals, asbestos has not consistently increased the incidence of tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. There is therefore no consistent, convincing evidence that ingested asbestos is hazardous to health, and it is concluded that there is no need to establish a guideline for asbestos in drinking-water.
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Worldwide economic consequences of a ban on chrysotile asbestos

Worldwide economic consequences of a ban on chrysotile asbestos

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If the chrysotile composed pipes and roofing materials are banned in the developed countries, it is obvious that their manufacturers in less developed countries will not benefit from the advantages of the low prices allowed by high volume production which come with the access to the world market, and their products will have therefore to be sold at a higher price. This could result in the elimination of hundreds of thousands jobs! The countries that will be the most hurt by this are in Asia and South America. Will this help the developing countries?
Canadian locals applaud the reopening of Jeffrey mine
The reality in the WHO Secretariat's recommendation to ban asbestos
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the extraordinary story of their present asbestos policy
Chrysotile - What was discussed in Geneva?

Chrysotile – What was discussed in Geneva?

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Representing the Montreal-based Chrysotile Institute the author attended the 5th Conference of the parties of the Rotterdam convention that deals with the international trade of dangerous chemicals that was held in Geneva, June 20-24.
Workers from around the world support safe use of chrysotile

Workers from around the world support safe use of chrysotile

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Geneva, June 22, 2011 – The International Trade Union Movement for Chrysotile, representing hundreds of thousands of workers from the mines, mills and factories that produce chrysotile products, as well as the workers from the companies that support this activity, voice their strong opposition to the inclusion of chrysotile in Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention. These workers are primarily from countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, Kazakhstan, Kirghistan, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Columbia, Bolivia.
Vermiculite in the house

Vermiculite in the house

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Vermiculite was used in insulation products in many Canadian and American houses. A good part of that vermiculite, sold in North America, was extracted from a mine where the ore naturally contained a small percentage of asbestos tremolite, an amphibole.
Chrysotile not included in the Rotterdam Convention
Fact and fiction about the health risk of roof sheet workers
Sharing experience in preventing Chrysotile harmful effects

Sharing experience in preventing Chrysotile harmful effects

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In the afternoon of March 07th, in Hanoi, Mr. Dang Ngoc Tung – member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, Chairman of Vietnam General Confederation of Labor had a discussion with the delegation of Construction and Building Materials Industry Workers’ Union of the Russian Federation leaded by Mr. Boris Soshenko.
Fibro - cement roofing sheet affect human health – What is the truth?

Fibro – cement roofing sheet affect human health – What is the truth?

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Having lots of preeminent features such as durable, tough, heat-proof, insulated, sound-proof, possible to bear friction and impact forces, etc. Chrysotile is considered as useful input material in the production of over 3,000 products applying in the field of construction material, friction bearing products like friction-band, buffer, variety types of heat-roof fabrics and clothes, aviation industry, and pharmaceutical industry.
Safe and responsible use of Chrysotile

Safe and responsible use of Chrysotile

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On March 09th, in Hanoi, Construction Material Department – International Cooperation Department (Ministry of Construction) coordinated with International Alliance of Chrysotile Trade Union Organizations to organize the workshop “Safe and responsible use of Chrysotile”.
Is the accusation of chrysotile asbestos justified?

Is the accusation of chrysotile asbestos justified?

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People often hear about the use of chrysotile asbestos in the manufacture of asbestos cement roof sheet as well as its effect on the health of the workers. Nevertheless, if objective view of asbestos is adopted, there are surely many questions that concerned authorities and scientists need to answer.
Justification for Chrsyotile

Justification for Chrsyotile

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People often think of Asbestos as the cause for cancer, but in reality, scientists have proved that chrysotile asbestos is not a trigger of cancer and still the material used for producing low cost roof sheets.