Ottawa denies science and lies about the safety of asbestos

[YukonJack]

I believe that unintended consequences are also the curse of large corporations. See 'thalidomide', if you have any questions.

At this stage I am not going to bother to find how many died or were disfigured due to thalidomide.
But I can run a year by year number of victims of malaria.

And of course, the evil corporation stopped producing thalidomide. People still die by the hundreds of thousands because of the ban on DDT.

And as long that insane ban is in effect, many more hundreds of thousands WILL die.

 

[TenPenny]

I believe that most of the people who die from malaria do not have white skin, and, as such, are of no concern.

 

[YukonJack]

I believe that most of the people who die from malaria do not have white skin, and, as such, are of no concern.

You said that, not me. And I have been branded racist, not you. Figure!

 

[karrie]

sarcasm *whoosh* right over the head.

Does anyone have any forecasted numbers on what dollar value damage being 'listed' would do to the industry? Somehow I can't help but think most countries know the dangers of asbestos. What difference would listing it make?

 

[YukonJack]

sarcasm *whoosh* right over the head.

Not really, karrie! I had more than my fair share of run-ins with the ten cents worth one and learned that what he means as sarcasm is not and what he doesn't mean as such, is.

 

[TenPenny]

You said that, not me. And I have been branded racist, not you. Figure!

Indeed, quite so. That is absolutely true.

I, however, did not make an issue about whether I would let my daughter marry one. Look in the mirror much?

I suppose that the Yukon is close to the Pole, so to speak.

 

[Tonington]

Banning asbestos brings to mind the banning of DDT. DDT was found to be carciogenic, used on mice in amounts that proportionately could or would never be applied to humans.

Results? Hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions die every year of malaria in Africa.

Of course, that is preferable to a few hundred dying of cancer.

It's not a ban first of all, as I said already, this listing would require exporting countries to obtain informed consent from the importing country before the product can be shipped.

Second, when DDT was banned, there were many species which had become resistant to it, because it was used indiscriminately on agricultural fields, which is a surefire method for rapid development of resistance.

The deaths in Africa are directly related to the fact that anti-malarial drugs are out of reach due to the cost. Some companies, such as the one I work for, sell to NGO's and countries at cost. So basically Western citizens are subsidizing the cost, making over 300 million doses available where they were not before.

 

[karrie]

It's not a ban first of all, as I said already, this listing would require exporting countries to obtain informed consent from the importing country before the product can be shipped.

Second, when DDT was banned, there were many species which had become resistant to it, because it was used indiscriminately on agricultural fields, which is a surefire method for rapid development of resistance.

The deaths in Africa are directly related to the fact that anti-malarial drugs are out of reach due to the cost. Some companies, such as the one I work for, sell to NGO's and countries at cost. So basically Western citizens are subsidizing the cost, making over 300 million doses available where they were not before.

Add to that the fact that being able to track malaria deaths does not mean those people died because there is no DDT being used. DDT NEVER eradicated malaria. And the results of DDT effected many animals that it was not meant to, birds for example. It had more far reaching effects than cancer in lab rats.

By the way, DDT is an acronym, and only a hypocrite would use it while lecturing elsewhere about not using acronyms.

 

[petros]

India uses a natural oil called neem to keep skeeters away and that is why they have a low rate of malaria. If India can do it using nature any other country can. India exports neem and if some tropical country wants to fight skeeters naturally then neem is the ticket.

 

[YukonJack]

It's not a ban first of all, as I said already, this listing would require exporting countries to obtain informed consent from the importing country before the product can be shipped.

Second, when DDT was banned, there were many species which had become resistant to it, because it was used indiscriminately on agricultural fields, which is a surefire method for rapid development of resistance.

The deaths in Africa are directly related to the fact that anti-malarial drugs are out of reach due to the cost. Some companies, such as the one I work for, sell to NGO's and countries at cost. So basically Western citizens are subsidizing the cost, making over 300 million doses available where they were not before.

Strangely, those pesky mosquitoes are clever enough to slip though the 'defensive' nets, and kill people just as before. Blame those horrible colonial powers who invented the medicine that those who care for themselves WILL buy, regardless of cost.

 

[karrie]

Strangely, those pesky mosquitoes are clever enough to slip though the 'defensive' nets, and kill people just as before. Blame those horrible colonial powers who invented the medicine that those who care for themselves WILL buy, regardless of cost.

You assume that just because someone values their life, they a)have access to medication, b)have access to money. If you've ever followed what life is like for many in African nations, you'd know that simply isn't the case. Being trapped in a hell hole does not mean you don't care for or value yourself.

 

[Tonington]

Add to that the fact that being able to track malaria deaths does not mean those people died because there is no DDT being used. DDT NEVER eradicated malaria. And the results of DDT effected many animals that it was not meant to, birds for example. It had more far reaching effects than cancer in lab rats.

By the way, DDT is an acronym, and only a hypocrite would use it while lecturing elsewhere about not using acronyms.

I agree 100%, even the small print

There are promising new areas of research which hold real potential. Some species of Anopheles do not carry the Plasmodium parasite, and scientists have discovered why. The mosquitoes carry a species of bacteria which severely impairs the development of the parasite, in fact the bacteria kills the parasite by producing reactive species of oxygen that destroy the parasite.

By feeding this bacteria to populations of mosquito which carry the parasite, we could potentially control the disease biologically, which would be far better than any drug or pesticide.

 

[petros]

One word...NEEM

 

[YukonJack]

You assume that just because someone values their life, they a)have access to medication, b)have access to money. If you've ever followed what life is like for many in African nations, you'd know that simply isn't the case. Being trapped in a hell hole does not mean you don't care for or value yourself.

They had food, water, medicine, clothes and education under the colonial powers. Then they insisted on being smart.

They trapped themselves in their own self-made hell-hole.

 

[petros]

They had food, water, medicine, clothes and education under the colonial powers. Then they insisted on being smart.

They trapped themselves in their own self-made hell-hole.

In your travels to Africa did you enjoy it Yukon Jack?

 

[mentalfloss]

In your travels to Africa did you enjoy it Yukon Jack?

YJ is trapped in his own self-made hell-hole and can't come to the phone right now.

 

[petros]

He probably took off to buy crack and pick up a teenage boy at the Forks.

 

[mentalfloss]

He probably took off to buy crack and pick up a teenage boy at the Forks.

lol

Speaking of asbestos...


Hiding the risk of asbestos

It is bewildering that successive Canadian governments would risk an international black eye to protect the market of a relatively small industry that exports a known carcinogen. Chrysotile asbestos has fallen out of favour for use as an insulator and fire-retardant in Canada, but it is the economic mainstay of Thetford Mines, Que., the hometown of federal Industry Minister Christian Paradis.

That is the only explanation imaginable for the Harper government's decision to oppose, at a summit in Switzerland this week, yet again, an attempt to put chrysotile asbestos on a hazardous materials index of the UN's Rotterdam Convention. The listing would warn importing countries of its associated health risks and those nations could block its entry.

This is petty politics trumping morality. The industry is legitimately wary that indexing of asbestos may reduce trade, and it will increase costs of business. Prime Minister Stephen Harper should remember his first responsibility is to the country as a whole, and his government's conduct in Switzerland damages Canada's international reputation. This decision merely saves the industry a cost of doing business responsibly, at the evident expense of the country's self-respect.

Hiding the risk of asbestos - Winnipeg Free Press

 

[petros]

There is nothing wrong with mining and exporting as long as there is a guarantee of safe end use of the product.

It'not not used here as pipe insulation for indoor use but still outdoor if mixed with an organic compund or polymer and waterproofed. The old stuff takes on water like crazy and loses it's insulating value. Dangerous to have happen on a hydrogen cracker at a refinery or something to that extent.

 

[karrie]

They had food, water, medicine, clothes and education under the colonial powers. Then they insisted on being smart.

They trapped themselves in their own self-made hell-hole.

No.... the average joe did not. The average joe actually has very little say. They're pawns in a larger game.