Asbestos Mine Reopening in Canada Sparks Criticism from Thailand

As reported in June, the Quebec government granted the Jeffery Mine in Quebec’s Eastern Townships $58 million to reopen. Once opened it will be the only remaining asbestos mine in the country.  This has sparked much controversy, including overwhelming opposition in Thailand one of the world’s largest consumers of asbestos.

According to the Huffington Post, anti-asbestos advocates warn Canada that there is a growing resistance to asbestos use, and it could have an effect on the re-opening of the Jeffrey Mine. Advocates hope that the growing awareness of the health dangers of asbestos will decrease demand and lead to the mine’s closure. Reports from the Huffington Post state that the health community in Thailand is making efforts to end to the use of asbestos all together.

Asbestos can result in serious illnesses such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that asbestos is the cause of over 100,000 deaths per year.

Despite the danger and criticism, Quebec stands by the asbestos industry and still plans to reopen the mine.

“EMSL Analytical laboratories have been performing asbestos analyses since 1981,” says Ed Cahill, Vice President of EMSL’s Asbestos Division. “Our location near Toronto, Canada is fully equipped and accredited to test for the presence of asbestos in air, soil, water, and bulk building materials.”

For more information regarding EMSL’s asbestos services, please call 800-220-3675 or visit www.EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a locally focused provider of consumer product, environmental, industrial hygiene, food, and materials testing services to professionals and the general public. In addition, the company offers a large variety of air sampling equipment, sampling cassettes, and monitoring equipment. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations, as well as state and federal regulating bodies. They include, but are not limited to AIHA IHLAP, AIHA EMLAP, AIHA ELLAP, A2LA, NVLAP, CDC Elite, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX Department of State Health Services, and multiple other state accrediting agencies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com