Controversy over Quebec Asbestos Mine
Thetford Mines in south central Quebec is the center of current controversy over the hazards of asbestos. Thetford Mines was founded in 1876 when large asbestos deposits were discovered and quickly made the town one of the world’s largest regions for asbestos production. Although asbestos manufacturing and use is highly regulated in the United States and many other countries, Canada continues to export the toxic mineral, especially to developing countries.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that was once widely mined and used in the manufacture of thousands of industrial and construction materials. Now the hazards to public and environmental health of exposure to asbestos are widely accepted. Asbestos is linked with an incurable cancer known as mesothelioma, as well as asbestosis and other types of cancer.
The controversy in Thetford Mines is whether the levels of exposure to the asbestos in their area are sufficient to create a hazard to public health. Opponents to the use of asbestos are calling for the mines to be closed and export of the mineral stopped. There are proponents of keeping it open and continued use of asbestos, and opponents who argue the well established evidence of risk.
The World Health Organization along with many other government agencies and scientific and medical organizations have reported that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos and even a single incidence can increase risk of asbestos related cancer.
It seems to me that when considering Thetford Mines it might be helpful to learn from what occurred in Libby, Montana and make wise decisions based upon that situation which led to an increased number of deaths in an area very similar to the one in question.
Canada still imports asbestos to several developing countries in spite of the large amount of research that links exposure to asbestos with mesothelioma and other diseases. Proponents say the risk of illness is so low that continued mining should be allowed. Opponents continue their campaign efforts to close the mines and get a total ban of asbestos mining and export.
