The Star Phoenix: Ottawa — Canada told the world Wednesday it opposes placing limits on the export of chrysotile asbestos — likely setting the stage for international efforts to list the mineral as a hazardous material to fail.
The head of the Canadian delegation at a UN meeting made the statement after a consensus was starting to emerge to deem the mineral, a known carcinogen which is mined in Quebec, as hazardous, Postmedia News has learned.
If chrysotile asbestos is listed on Annex III of the United Nations' Rotterdam Convention, "Prior Informed Consent" would be required before countries such as Canada can export the mineral.
That would allow importing would be informed of the hazards and could refuse to accept the potentially cancer-causing material if they believe they could not handle it safely.
More than 200 scientists and organizations from around the world, including the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Medical Association, have signed a letter urging the federal government to support the listing of chrysotile asbestos under the UN treaty.
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