Canada refuses UN recommendation to list asbestos as dangerous

Canada announced its objection on Wednesday to a recent UN recommendation that chrysotile asbestos—one of Quebec’s main exports—be listed on Annex III of the United Nations’ Rotterdam Convention. Such a move would force Canada to inform other countries of the mineral’s danger prior to exportation. Chrysotile asbestos is a carcinogen, mined heavily in Quebec. It has been deemed cancer-causing by both the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Medical Association, who have urged the federal government to heed the UN’s recommendation and consent to the listing. Ukraine and India are two countries among a growing consensus of UN members who would like the mineral to be fall under the cautionary listing.

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