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The Globe and Mail: Controversy surrounds Canadian exports
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Controversy surrounds Canadian exports
By CAROLYN ABRAHAM
Monday, September 26, 2005 Page A6
Despite its link to events past, mesothelioma is a cancer mired deep in present-day controversies.
It's connected to thousands of lawsuits from asbestos victims and their families, to scientists split over whether all forms of asbestos pose similar cancer risks, to Canada's much-maligned position that its asbestos still belongs on world markets.
More than 15 countries, including the European Union, have banned the substance outright.
But Canada remains, slightly ahead of Kazakhstan, as the world's fourth-largest supplier after Russia, China and Brazil.
Canada produced 220,000 tons last year and, with little domestic demand, shipped out 95 per cent of it, largely to Asia, but also to Latin America, the U.S.
and Australia.
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This month, labour unions in a dozen countries are reported to have filed requests at Canadian diplomatic missions to halt the export of asbestos.
Meanwhile, the Internet is rife with sites decrying Canada's continuing sales, which last year amounted to $165-million.
But Canada has a strong history of defending ...
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