Industrial Minerals


Canada faces diplomatic isolation over asbestos

24 June 2011


Asbestos producer blocks global bill to monitor transport of controversial mineral

Keywords: asbestos, construction, Canada, Rotterdam Convention

The Canadian government has been attacked by environmentalists for blocking an international agreement over the notification of exports of asbestos to importing countries. At a Geneva meeting this week of the fifth conference of parties to the Rotterdam Convention on hazardous chemicals, Canada has opposed placing chrysotile asbestos on the agreement’s Annex III. This would force asbestos exporting countries to warn importing customs authorities...