The Politics of Asbestos:The Politics of Asbestos:Canada’s ShameCanada’s Shame

September 13, 2009September 13, 2009

Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Federation of LabourFederation of Labour

OHS Conference, SaskatoonOHS Conference, Saskatoon

Cathy WalkerCathy WalkerFormer H&S Director, CAWFormer H&S Director, CAW

Thanks to SFL, Larry Thanks to SFL, Larry Hubich and Bob SassHubich and Bob Sass

Asbestos: Killer Asbestos: Killer DustDust

We’ve known about the We’ve known about the hazards of asbestos since hazards of asbestos since the First Centurythe First Century

Pliny the Elder Pliny the Elder reported on reported on Roman slaves Roman slaves having sickened having sickened lungs from lungs from weaving asbestos weaving asbestos into clothinto cloth

Charlemagne used Charlemagne used asbestos napkins, 800 ADasbestos napkins, 800 AD

He threw soiled He threw soiled napkins into the napkins into the fire and they fire and they came out cleancame out clean

Insurance companies stopped Insurance companies stopped issuing life insurance to issuing life insurance to asbestos workersasbestos workers

Cape Asbestos plant in London, England, 1910Cape Asbestos plant in London, England, 1910

Asbestos insulation Asbestos insulation sprayers, 1960s and 70ssprayers, 1960s and 70s

Union went to Dr. Irving Union went to Dr. Irving Selikoff: New York and New Selikoff: New York and New Jersey asbestos sprayersJersey asbestos sprayers

Selikoff Examined 1,117 Selikoff Examined 1,117 asbestos insulation workersasbestos insulation workers

More than 50% already had asbestosis More than 50% already had asbestosis determined by X-Raysdetermined by X-Rays

For those exposed more than 20 years, For those exposed more than 20 years, 339 of 392 (87%) had asbestosis339 of 392 (87%) had asbestosis

Lung cancers were 7 times the expected Lung cancers were 7 times the expected raterate

Gastrointestinal cancers were 3 times the Gastrointestinal cancers were 3 times the expected rateexpected rate

Asbestos stopped being Asbestos stopped being used as sprayed on used as sprayed on insulation, halfway through insulation, halfway through building the World Trade building the World Trade Centre buildingsCentre buildings

But of course there was still But of course there was still lots of asbestos in the lots of asbestos in the September 11, 2001 dustSeptember 11, 2001 dust

Do you have to be covered Do you have to be covered in dust to die from in dust to die from asbestos?asbestos? The answer is “no”The answer is “no”

Professors CAUT Professors CAUT employed at the employed at the University of Manitoba University of Manitoba have died from asbestos have died from asbestos exposureexposure

Where is asbestos in your Where is asbestos in your workplace?workplace?

If you don’t know, If you don’t know, find outfind out

Where is asbestos Where is asbestos likely to be found?likely to be found?

In this workplace it’s In this workplace it’s in the cladding in the cladding around the building.around the building.

But it can be almost But it can be almost anywhereanywhere

Around beamsAround beams

Ceilings (used for noise Ceilings (used for noise as well as fire insulation)as well as fire insulation)

In insulationIn insulation

Deteriorated insulationDeteriorated insulation

Around BoilersAround Boilers

Around PipesAround Pipes

Asbestos CementAsbestos Cement

In Ceiling TilesIn Ceiling Tiles Canadian school, 2002Canadian school, 2002

In floor tilesIn floor tiles

When asbestos deteriorates When asbestos deteriorates it becomes “friable” it becomes “friable” (crumbly)(crumbly)

When it becomes friable it When it becomes friable it is released into the air and is released into the air and you can breathe it inyou can breathe it in

You can also ingest itYou can also ingest it

What is asbestos?What is asbestos?

It is a “natural” It is a “natural” fibre found in the fibre found in the groundground

It is mined and It is mined and processed and processed and usedused to be used in to be used in a wide variety of a wide variety of productsproducts

Two main Asbestos Two main Asbestos groupsgroups

Amphiboles (straight Amphiboles (straight fibres)fibres)

Serpentine (curly Serpentine (curly fibres)fibres)

There’s not really a lot of There’s not really a lot of differencedifference

AmphibolesAmphiboles CrocidoliteCrocidolite AmositeAmosite

SerpentineSerpentine Chrysotile: Chrysotile: 95% of world asbestos 95% of world asbestos Includes Canadian Includes Canadian

asbestos:asbestos:

Excellent InsulationExcellent Insulation

It is a nearly perfect It is a nearly perfect product for product for insulationinsulation

It is fireproof and It is fireproof and virtually virtually indestructibleindestructible

Great for brake Great for brake pads and many pads and many other productsother products

Indestructible Indestructible everywhereeverywhere

These These indestructible indestructible asbestos fibres asbestos fibres stay in your lungs stay in your lungs foreverforever

Asbestos fibres in lung Asbestos fibres in lung tissuetissue

They are inhaled deep into They are inhaled deep into the lung into the tiny air the lung into the tiny air sacs where oxygen is sacs where oxygen is transferred into the transferred into the bloodstreambloodstream

Asbestos fibres are so tiny Asbestos fibres are so tiny there are a million of them there are a million of them in three centimetresin three centimetres

At the cell level your body At the cell level your body tries to protect you from tries to protect you from the invading fibresthe invading fibres

Macrophage Macrophage engulfing an engulfing an asbestos fibreasbestos fibre

And scarring And scarring resultsresults

What diseases are What diseases are caused by asbestos?caused by asbestos?

Asbestosis Asbestosis (scarring of the (scarring of the lungs) from high lungs) from high exposuresexposures

This is what your lung is This is what your lung is supposed to look likesupposed to look like

Not like thisNot like this

Today, asbestosis is not an Today, asbestosis is not an issue for most union issue for most union members in Canada since members in Canada since exposures are not that highexposures are not that high

For union members, the For union members, the major risk is from cancermajor risk is from cancer

Which cancers? – a varietyWhich cancers? – a variety Cancer is an issue for even low Cancer is an issue for even low

exposuresexposures Why?Why?

We are all made up of We are all made up of cellscells

Cancer: damage to a single Cancer: damage to a single cell starts the clock tickingcell starts the clock ticking

Ingest asbestos fibres into Ingest asbestos fibres into our gastrointestinal systemour gastrointestinal system

Gastrointestinal cancerGastrointestinal cancer

Colon cancer is a Colon cancer is a common cancercommon cancer

We can breathe in We can breathe in asbestos fibresasbestos fibres

Main asbestos related Main asbestos related cancers are:cancers are:

Lung CancerLung Cancer MesotheliomaMesothelioma This is lung cancerThis is lung cancer

MesotheliomaMesothelioma Of the lining around the lung, pleural Of the lining around the lung, pleural

mesotheliomamesothelioma Of the lining around the abdomen, Of the lining around the abdomen,

peritoneal mesothelioma (risk is from peritoneal mesothelioma (risk is from high exposure)high exposure)

Mesothelioma is always associated with Mesothelioma is always associated with asbestosasbestos

And, unfortunately, it is fatal, usually And, unfortunately, it is fatal, usually within 6-12 monthswithin 6-12 months

Pleural MesotheliomaPleural Mesothelioma

Tumour in the Tumour in the lining of the lunglining of the lung

It crushes the life It crushes the life out of youout of you

There is no cureThere is no cure Often 30 to 45 Often 30 to 45

years after years after exposureexposure

They can operate and take They can operate and take out some ribs and part of out some ribs and part of your lung to let the tumour your lung to let the tumour growgrow

How much is too much?How much is too much? Very small amounts over many years can Very small amounts over many years can

cause mesotheliomacause mesothelioma Large amounts over a short period (a few Large amounts over a short period (a few

weeks) can cause mesotheliomaweeks) can cause mesothelioma

One bad fire: apparently One bad fire: apparently enoughenough

The downtown Air Canada The downtown Air Canada Toronto reservations office Toronto reservations office had a fire resulting in had a fire resulting in asbestos insulation falling asbestos insulation falling on clerks’ deskson clerks’ desks

They had to return to work They had to return to work before it was cleaned upbefore it was cleaned up

A CAW member A CAW member contracted mesothelioma contracted mesothelioma years later and she diedyears later and she died

Pleural PlaquesPleural Plaques

Always associated with Always associated with asbestos exposureasbestos exposure

You’re usually not sick You’re usually not sick yetyet

Early warning sign Early warning sign Some experience Some experience

unrelenting pain, eg. unrelenting pain, eg. daughter of tactonite daughter of tactonite miner, exposed as a miner, exposed as a child, 31 years of child, 31 years of increasing painincreasing pain

Family members of Family members of asbestos workersasbestos workers

Asbestos exposure from hugging, Asbestos exposure from hugging, washing clothes washing clothes

Some contract pleural plaquesSome contract pleural plaques Some contract mesothelioma, eg. 14 Some contract mesothelioma, eg. 14

year old son of a CAW member. He died year old son of a CAW member. He died at 16.at 16.

1979 study:1979 study: 679 wives and children679 wives and children 39% had signs of asbestos scarring on lungs39% had signs of asbestos scarring on lungs

Signs and Symptoms of Signs and Symptoms of asbestos diseaseasbestos disease

Shortness of breathShortness of breath Chest painChest pain Visible on X-RayVisible on X-Ray Confirmed at autopsyConfirmed at autopsy Lung cancer – at this Lung cancer – at this

stage may be no stage may be no signs and symptomssigns and symptoms

But what about smoking?But what about smoking?

Risk of lung cancer from asbestos is 5 Risk of lung cancer from asbestos is 5 times the general populationtimes the general population

Risk of lung cancer from smoking is 10 Risk of lung cancer from smoking is 10 times the general populationtimes the general population

Risk of lung cancer from smoking Risk of lung cancer from smoking combined with asbestos exposure is 50-combined with asbestos exposure is 50-90 times the general population90 times the general population

So how do we protect So how do we protect union members?union members?

Work closely with the health and safety Work closely with the health and safety committee memberscommittee members

Skilled trades workers are often most at Skilled trades workers are often most at riskrisk

They have to work in asbestos-containing They have to work in asbestos-containing areasareas

So they need to know where the So they need to know where the asbestos isasbestos is

We have banned the use of We have banned the use of asbestos in major collective asbestos in major collective agreementsagreements We now have We now have

to bargain its to bargain its safe, effective safe, effective removalremoval

Work refusals lead to Work refusals lead to action on asbestosaction on asbestos

At airports throughout CanadaAt airports throughout Canada CAW members exercised their right to refuse CAW members exercised their right to refuse

unsafe work under the Canada Labour Codeunsafe work under the Canada Labour Code Through the courage of these women union Through the courage of these women union

members, they protected themselves, their members, they protected themselves, their fellow workers and the publicfellow workers and the public

Is there a map and is Is there a map and is asbestos identified clearly?asbestos identified clearly?

Each place where asbestos is found must have Each place where asbestos is found must have a clear labela clear label

There should be a map of where asbestos is There should be a map of where asbestos is found in each workplacefound in each workplace

But we can’t always trust this informationBut we can’t always trust this information If people are working on the ceiling of your If people are working on the ceiling of your

work area and dust is falling and you are work area and dust is falling and you are unsure, insist it be analyzed for asbestosunsure, insist it be analyzed for asbestos

Insist on asbestos removal Insist on asbestos removal by knowledgeable firms and by knowledgeable firms and workersworkers

Proper Asbestos RemovalProper Asbestos Removal Complete enclosure Complete enclosure

of the asbestos of the asbestos removal area by removal area by sealed plasticsealed plastic

Only trained asbestos Only trained asbestos removal workers to removal workers to be in the asbestos be in the asbestos removal arearemoval area

Negative pressure in Negative pressure in removal area so no removal area so no asbestos fibres asbestos fibres escapeescape

What about What about encapsulation (covering encapsulation (covering the asbestos)?the asbestos)?

Eventually, all asbestos will become friableEventually, all asbestos will become friable Every time it is disturbed, it gets into the airEvery time it is disturbed, it gets into the air Remove it competently and the problem is Remove it competently and the problem is

solvedsolved If the building is going to be torn down in the If the building is going to be torn down in the

near future, crumbly asbestos can be near future, crumbly asbestos can be encapsulatedencapsulated

Asbestos continues to killAsbestos continues to killFrancis Huggett: $102,450 Francis Huggett: $102,450 plus pension; rep Karen plus pension; rep Karen WillseyWillsey

Closed in Closed in 1988,1988,legacy of legacy of death death lives on.lives on.

Holmes Foundry ClaimsHolmes Foundry Claims

Total Lump Sum

$0

$2,000,000

$4,000,000

$6,000,000

$8,000,000

$10,000,000

$12,000,000

$14,000,000

$16,000,000

$18,000,000

$20,000,000

2000-01-01 2001-01-01 2002-01-01 2003-01-01 2004-01-01

But what about Canada’s But what about Canada’s export of asbestos?export of asbestos?

The Chrysotile The Chrysotile Asbestos Institute Asbestos Institute promotes chrysotile promotes chrysotile asbestos as “safe”asbestos as “safe”

Where is our Where is our asbestos used in asbestos used in developing developing countries?countries?

Everybody needs clean Everybody needs clean water, right?water, right?

But these pipes deteriorate and break, But these pipes deteriorate and break, releasing asbestosreleasing asbestos

And usually we export only raw asbestos And usually we export only raw asbestos so someone had to mix the asbestos and so someone had to mix the asbestos and the cement, usually by handthe cement, usually by hand

And asbestos is used in And asbestos is used in roofs of houses and huts roofs of houses and huts where it crumbles directly where it crumbles directly onto the people who live onto the people who live therethere

Where is this asbestos roof?Where is this asbestos roof?

Asbestos bags leakAsbestos bags leak

Brazilian worker breaking Brazilian worker breaking open asbestos bagsopen asbestos bags

Asbestos use in Peru: Asbestos use in Peru: half is from Canadahalf is from Canada

Canadian asbestos in Canadian asbestos in PeruPeru

7

Working with Asbestos in Peru

Funeral: Funeral: Asbestos Deaths in PeruAsbestos Deaths in Peru

Asbestos Use in IndiaAsbestos Use in India

How little protection How little protection there is in developing there is in developing countries for either countries for either workers or for the workers or for the general population.general population.

Ahmedabad, Gujarat Ahmedabad, Gujarat IndiaIndia

Manager of an asbestos factory: “Our Manager of an asbestos factory: “Our factory is so safe that our workers do not factory is so safe that our workers do not need to wear masks.”need to wear masks.”

The factory has received an ISO 9002 The factory has received an ISO 9002 rating from a British company.rating from a British company.

Broken asbestos pieces are used to fill Broken asbestos pieces are used to fill up areas as driveways where vehicles up areas as driveways where vehicles enter the distribution area.enter the distribution area.

There is a water spray on the blade of the circular There is a water spray on the blade of the circular saw but the worker’s hair is white with asbestos.saw but the worker’s hair is white with asbestos.

These next pictures are These next pictures are from Pakistanfrom Pakistan

From a presentation From a presentation by Laurie Kazan-by Laurie Kazan-Allen from the UK Allen from the UK with photos from with photos from Noor Jehan of Noor Jehan of PakistanPakistan

Assistant Professor Noor Jehan standing with a worker beside an asbestos dump at the Asbestos, Talc and Clay Crushing unit in Mohmand Agency, Pakistan.

Asbestos sheet cutting unit in Mardan City (NWFP) located on the main road in a residential area.

Inside this building is a flour mill; while outside is an asbestos crushing machine and an asbestos dump. The man in the picture has worked for 8 years on this machine and was not convinced of any hazard related to asbestos inhalation or its mixing with flour produced inside the building.

Canadian News: Finally!Canadian News: Finally! http://watch.ctv.ca/news/top-picks/asbesthttp://watch.ctv.ca/news/top-picks/asbest

os-basics/#clip190469os-basics/#clip190469 Dr. Jim Brophy, long-time health & safety Dr. Jim Brophy, long-time health & safety

activistactivist

CBC News: Melissa Fung CBC News: Melissa Fung in Indiain India

The National: The National: Canada’s Ugly SecretCanada’s Ugly Secret, by , by Melissa Fung, June 10, 2009, runs 15.14Melissa Fung, June 10, 2009, runs 15.14

http://www.cbc.ca/national/blog/video/http://www.cbc.ca/national/blog/video/healtheducation/healtheducation/canadas_ugly_secret.htmlcanadas_ugly_secret.html

Why does Canada support Why does Canada support the production of asbestos?the production of asbestos?

Isn’t is unconscionable? Isn’t is unconscionable? How can our federal government oppose How can our federal government oppose

asbestos bans in other countries, asbestos bans in other countries, including bringing a complaint against the including bringing a complaint against the French asbestos ban to the WTO?French asbestos ban to the WTO?

To understand the position of the federal To understand the position of the federal government, you have to understand the government, you have to understand the history of the union movement in history of the union movement in Québec Québec

Québec, mining asbestos Québec, mining asbestos since 1879since 1879

No protection in the early No protection in the early days, King mine 1896days, King mine 1896

Women also had no Women also had no protection, 1930 Johnson protection, 1930 Johnson minemine

Yet in 1911, insurance Yet in 1911, insurance companies stopped insuring companies stopped insuring asbestos workersasbestos workers

Because they Because they were dying of were dying of asbestosis and asbestosis and cancercancer

This is a recent This is a recent asbestos miner asbestos miner showing his X-Rayshowing his X-Ray

In Asbestos and in Thetford In Asbestos and in Thetford Mines the towns were Mines the towns were adjacent to the mines and adjacent to the mines and tailings. St.-Maurice parish, tailings. St.-Maurice parish, 19501950

1949, Premier Maurice 1949, Premier Maurice Duplessis ruled Duplessis ruled Québec Québec

Le drapeau fleurdelisé, Le drapeau fleurdelisé, adopté par Maurice adopté par Maurice Duplessis le 21 janvier 1948Duplessis le 21 janvier 1948

Duplessis, nationalist or Duplessis, nationalist or imposter?imposter?

Fascist or Fascist or statesman?statesman?

In 1949, miners in Quebec In 1949, miners in Quebec were prepared to fight backwere prepared to fight back

Miners in Asbestos and Miners in Asbestos and Thetford Mines fought backThetford Mines fought back

Against the U.S. corporation, Johns Against the U.S. corporation, Johns ManvilleManville

Against the Roman Catholic ChurchAgainst the Roman Catholic Church And especially, against Maurice And especially, against Maurice

DuplessisDuplessis They fought for four monthsThey fought for four months The issues were wages, but especially, The issues were wages, but especially,

working conditions, protection from the working conditions, protection from the killer dust, asbestoskiller dust, asbestos

Asbestos StrikeAsbestos StrikeQuébec, 1949Québec, 1949

Asbestos Strike, 1949Asbestos Strike, 1949Who was there?Who was there?

Jean Marchand, union leaderJean Marchand, union leader Gérard Pelletier, journalist with Le DevoirGérard Pelletier, journalist with Le Devoir

1949 - 1951, conseiller au 1949 - 1951, conseiller au Conseil privé Conseil privé

What did the workers What did the workers think?think?

Globe and Mail, headline, Oct. 2, 2000:Globe and Mail, headline, Oct. 2, 2000: ““Pierre Elliott Trudeau, 1919-2000, Still a hero in Pierre Elliott Trudeau, 1919-2000, Still a hero in

Québec after all these years”Québec after all these years” Rosaire Drouin, miner, speaking of Trudeau, Rosaire Drouin, miner, speaking of Trudeau,

““He was sort of the ambassador for the union. He He was sort of the ambassador for the union. He explained to us our rights against Duplessis." “explained to us our rights against Duplessis." “

““He defended the workers. He was good for He defended the workers. He was good for Québec and Canada. It's a long time since we've Québec and Canada. It's a long time since we've seen a good one like that." seen a good one like that."

Duplessis sent Archbishop Duplessis sent Archbishop Charbonneau to BC because Charbonneau to BC because he supported the strikershe supported the strikers

1949’s legacy remains.1949’s legacy remains.Debating anti-scab Debating anti-scab legislation in Parliament, legislation in Parliament, October 21, 2003:October 21, 2003:

Mr. André Bachand (Richmond—Mr. André Bachand (Richmond—Arthabaska, PC)Arthabaska, PC) ““I am from Asbestos.”…I am from Asbestos.”… ““The scabs were the main problem during The scabs were the main problem during

the strike of 1949 in Asbestos. I am not the strike of 1949 in Asbestos. I am not going to call them “strikebreakers” or going to call them “strikebreakers” or “replacement workers”; they were scabs. “replacement workers”; they were scabs. There were fights, and the provincial police There were fights, and the provincial police were there.”were there.”

Québec sovereignty Québec sovereignty movementmovementQuiet Revolution really Quiet Revolution really began in 1949 with the began in 1949 with the Asbestos StrikeAsbestos Strike

Québec miners 1975 Québec miners 1975 As you can hear in this CBC Radio clip, patients As you can hear in this CBC Radio clip, patients

suffering from asbestos-related illnesses suffering from asbestos-related illnesses experience shortness of breath, extreme fatigue experience shortness of breath, extreme fatigue and persistent coughing often excreting blood:and persistent coughing often excreting blood:

CBC Radio clip: 1975, Thetford Mines, Paul CBC Radio clip: 1975, Thetford Mines, Paul Brodeur, etc. Brodeur, etc. http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-75-608-3400/scienchttp://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-75-608-3400/science_technology/asbestos/clip2e_technology/asbestos/clip2

Miners still striking in the ‘70s over working Miners still striking in the ‘70s over working conditionsconditions

Québec mines cleaned up Québec mines cleaned up considerably after the PQ considerably after the PQ nationalized the minesnationalized the mines

Excellent Excellent ventilationventilation

Protective Protective measuresmeasures

Still a risk at work, Still a risk at work, but not an but not an enormous one as enormous one as beforebefore

Tailings are still thereTailings are still thereThetford Mines, 2002Thetford Mines, 2002

Just Transition NeededJust Transition Needed

Relocation assistance for miners Relocation assistance for miners and residentsand residents

Retraining for workersRetraining for workers Income continuityIncome continuity PensionsPensions

These countries all have These countries all have some form of asbestos ban:some form of asbestos ban:

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil (4 Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil (4 states), Chile, Croatia, Denmark, El Salvador, states), Chile, Croatia, Denmark, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Zealand, Norway, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, UruguaySwitzerland, United Kingdom, Uruguay

How can we export death How can we export death to the third world?to the third world?

Chrysotile Chrysotile asbestos – it looks asbestos – it looks so innocent, but so innocent, but it’s so deadlyit’s so deadly

Canada Day, July 1, 2009Canada Day, July 1, 2009English unionists ride English unionists ride against Canadian asbestosagainst Canadian asbestos

Support the international Support the international asbestos ban!asbestos ban!

Congratulations to the Saskatchewan Congratulations to the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour!Federation of Labour!

It is appalling that this It is appalling that this litany of death be allowed litany of death be allowed to continueto continue

I call on all of you with as much sincerity I call on all of you with as much sincerity as I can musteras I can muster

Keep the pressure on the Canadian Keep the pressure on the Canadian government!government!

Don’t let us continue to mine and export Don’t let us continue to mine and export asbestos, killer dust!asbestos, killer dust!

Ban Asbestos!Ban Asbestos!

I salute each and every one I salute each and every one of you who has ever carried of you who has ever carried a sign like this:a sign like this: