Canada moves to block listing of asbestos as 'hazardous'
OTTAWA — Canada told the world Wednesday it opposes placing limits on the export of chrysotile asbestos — likely setting the stage for international efforts to list the mineral as a hazardous material to fail.
The head of the Canadian delegation at a UN meeting made the statement after a consensus was starting to emerge to deem the mineral, a known carcinogen which is mined in Quebec, as hazardous, Postmedia News has learned.
If chrysotile asbestos is listed on Annex III of the United Nations' Rotterdam Convention, "Prior Informed Consent" would be required before countries such as Canada can export the mineral.
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