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AVAQ
Montreal, September 1st, 2004.
The Hon. Ujjal Dosanjh, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Health
Fax: (613) 995-2962
E-Mail: Dosanjh.U@parl.gc.ca (cc. : Members of the Ministry)
Subject: Chrysotile : Environment in Québec and the Rotterdam
Convention PIC list.
Mr. Dosanjh,
As we consider the environmental situation in the Thetford-Mines
area and the present opposition of the Canadian Government to
the inclusion of chrysotile on the PIC list, to be untenable,
we will hold a press conference shortly to alert the public to
these matters.
We have also decided to support an international campaign of information
and protest about the Canadian opposition to the inclusion of
chrysotile on the PIC list.
Nevertheless, it would make us very happy if we could announce
a change of position from the Canadian Government concerning the
PIC list. We would also like to congratulate the Government for
its concern for the people and the environment of Thetford-Mines.
Our best regards,
Asbestos Victims Association of Québec (AVAQ)
Richard Rousseau, Micheline Marier, Roch Lanthier
INFORMATION SHEET
CHRYSOTILE DANGEROUSLY POLLUTES THE AIR OF THETFORD-MINES HOUSES
We sampled houses in Thetford-Mines to evaluate the concentration
of asbestos fibers in the air. Results so far, are worrisome.
Final data will be disclosed at the press conference..
AMONGST THE WOMEN OF THE CHAUDIÈRE-APPALACHES AREA, THE
INCIDENCE OF MESOTHELIOMA, A FATAL ASBESTOS CANCER, IS BY FAR
THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD.
Data from « The Epidemiology of Asbestos-related Diseases
in Quebec » The National Institute of Public Health of Quebec.
2003
CANADA OPPOSES THE INCLUSION OF CHRYSOTILE ON THE PIC LIST. THIS
LIST INFORMS COUNTRIES OF THE DANGERS OF THE SUBSTANCES INCLUDED
IN IT
THE USE OF ASBESTOS, INCLUDING CHRYSOTILE, IS BANNED OR SERIOUSLY
RESTRICTED IN MOST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES BECAUSE ITS SAFE USE IS
CONSIDERED TO BE UNREALISTIC
THE INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION ESTIMATES THAT OVER 100 000
PEOPLE/YEAR DIE FROM OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES RELATED TO ASBESTOS.
CANADA EXPORTS AND PROMOTES THE USE OF CHRYSOTILE IN POOR COUNTRIES
WHERE APPROPRIATE CONTROLS AND REGULATIONS ARE NOT IMPLEMENTED
Association des victimes de l’amiante du Québec (AVAQ)
Asbestos Victims Association of Quebec
5323 Brébeuf, Montréal, Québec H2J 3L8 Tél.
:(514) 524-8088 Fax : (514) 523-9548
avaq@sympatico.ca
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