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Asbestos: Dangerous in all forms

Studies done in Quebec — where chrysotile asbestos is mined — show that individuals who live near mines
have a greater incidence of developing an asbestos-related disease. However, both the Canadian and Quebec
governments defend marketing the “new” form of encased chrysotile asbestos, whose fibers cannot be inhaled.

TWO BASIC FORMS DAMAGE TO THE BODY

CHRYSOTILE Asbestos fibres in the form of dust
particles are inhaled or drunk.
“WHITE”
Curly, white fibres. Mined
throughout the world, but
most comes from Canada,
1
Africa, and the former Throat cancer
U.S.S.R.
Cancer can develop
Metric from swallowing
tonnes fibres.
produced THE LEAST TOXIC
6,000,000
Chrysotile asbestos is less
likely to get stuck in the 2
lungs, but is still harmful if
inhaled.
Painful 3
breathing Heart failure
4,000,000 Scar tissue forms and Blood flow to the
is unable to expand lungs can be
and contract, making impaired and cause
breathing painful or the heart to enlarge
2,000,000 impossible. or fail.

1900 1920
CROCIDOLITE
“BLUE”
Straight fibres. Most
comes from southern
Africa and Australia.
OTHER FORMS:
Amosite: Used in heat
insulation.
Anthophyllite: Resistance to
chemicals and heat.
Tremolite: Major ingredient in
industrial and commercial
talc.
Actinolite: Poor
resistance to chemicals.
95 % OF THE ASBESTOS
IN USE IS CHRYSOTILE
4
1940 1960 1980 2000
Stomach
and intestinal
cancer
Fibres get stuck and build up,
causing cancer.
The mining and export of chrysotile has fuelled an ongoing debate between health
professionals and countries that mine chrysotile.
A PROVEN DANGER WHY CANADA THINKS
• Before asbestos bans and warnings IT’S NOW SAFE
went into effect starting in the 1970s,
• The Canadian Chrysotile Institute explains
products containing chrysotile
that the industry now only markets dense
THE MOST TOXIC asbestos were extremely friable, and non-friable materials in which
which means they crumbled easily
Due to the sharp crystalline the chrysotile fiber is safely held in cement
and released large amounts of dust.
structure, crocidolite tends to or resin.
• This form of chrysotile asbestos can
stay in the lungs longer than • The Quebec government has shown
chrysotile and is more likely to still be found in innumerable buildings ambassadors from other countries its
cause illness. around the world. procedures to convince them it’s safe.

Sources: fmsd-quebec.org; asbestos.com; epa.gov; cmhc-schl.gc.ca; complichek.com JUSTIN STAHLMAN/QMI AGENCY