"Too many lives in America and around the world have already been lost due to asbestos exposure," said attorney Joseph W. Belluck of Belluck & Fox, LLP. Belluck's comment came in addition to pressure from asbestos activist Stacy Cattran. Cattran commented on how Roshi Chadha, a known asbestos exporter, was also a board member on two medical institutions in Montreal. Cattran's opposition against Chadha was successful during her campaign to have him leave the Canadian Red Cross prior to the new demonstrations.
When opened, Canada's asbestos mines were famous for the level of job security and income the mineral brought to the country. First recognized for its use in fire-resistant products, paints, roofing materials, and other construction related items, it wasn't until studies proved how asbestos exposure led to a high risk of developing mesothelioma that the mines caused people to worry. Though mesothelioma's not the only potentially fatal consequence of exposure to asbestos fibers, the mines continued to export the mineral.
When the true danger of asbestos gained media coverage, a total of 52 countries subsequently banned the mineral.
Quebec, the center of attention on the debate of asbestos mining, has had a love-hate relationship since the opening of the Jeffrey Mine in the 1890's. Political figures have shown little attention to its effect on human health and it was during the Asbestos Strike of 1949 that the full-force of a midnight walk-out led to growing attention to the dangers of asbestos dust.
Aside from Belluck a descendant of Canada's first asbestos mine owner, Susan Henry, is a part of a letter-writing campaign to the Canadian government expressing concern for miners in the mines and how little is being done in the name of profit.
Henry stated, "Although my great-great uncle, Andrew S. Johnson, founded his mine in good faith, the intervening years have revealed the very dangerous nature of asbestos. It is deeply disturbing to me that we are now poised to ramp up exports to developing countries, when we are fully aware of how lethal this mineral can be."
With Quebec's work-related deaths, the largest of which are related to asbestos, the evident toll that the carcinogenic exports having on the community's somehow being overlooked. In 2009 alone, 102 of 185 deaths compensated by Quebec Workers' Compensation Board were due to asbestos exposure. Sadly experts believe the toll will go up as it can take several decades for mesothelioma and other medical conditions associated with asbestos to be discovered and slowed.
Due to asbestos-related diseases causing a rapid deterioration at the time of symptoms, Belluck explained that it's the patients who should seek medical help promptly after experiencing any of the symptoms. Following a diagnosis they should then consult a qualified mesothelioma attorney for legal representation.
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