CBS News in Canada has a disturbinbg video of the use use of Canadian chrysotile asbestos in India. No effective respiratory protection was seen to be used in the dusty workplace where asbestos was spun.
Chrysoltile factory in India ~2009
The video notes the removal of asbestos from the Canadian House of Commons, while Canada still continues to export asbestos. What the video does not say, is the type of asbestos in the House of Commons. The International Ban Asbestos Secetrariat notes both crocidolite and chrysotile asbestos were used in the building. :
“Sprayed asbestos insulation containing crocidolite was used in the roof space of the House of Commons Chamber; linings of the ventilation ducts in the House of Commons were insulated with chrysotile (white asbestos).
The stance of the Canadian Government is based on the lower toxicity of chrysotile asbestos, due to its faster lung clerance. The Canadian Government still funds the Chrysotile Institute to “promote the safe use of asbestos”
The end of asbestos mining and export in Canada appears closer, with the apparent filing for bankruptcy by Canada’s last asbestos mining company, LAB Chrysotile
