Many Canadians are baffled at the fact that their federal government continues to import asbestos products, despite the clear dangers associated with the substance. It was recently reported that hundreds of thousands of asbestos-containing brake lining and pads were imported into the country in 2014, putting mechanics at risk for developing deadly asbestos-related diseases.
Auto mechanics are put at risk for asbestos exposure on the job when they use air hoses to clean worn down parts when repairing or replacing them. The air hoses can blow asbestos into the air, where mechanics breathe in fibers that become trapped within their bodies.
Asbestos is, obviously, not banned in Canada – in fact, the country imported more than $250 million worth of asbestos and asbestos-containing products between 2004 and 2014. The United States has also yet to ban the substance, putting citizens at risk for exposure every day. Auto mechanics in the United States also have reason to worry about exposure on the job, as asbestos brake lining and pads are still present in older vehicles today.
Only fifty-five countries around the world have banned the substance. Do you want to see asbestos banned throughout North America? Share your thoughts with us in a comment below.
Source: The Globe and Mail
