CAUT | ACPPU
Canadian Association of University Teachers
Issues & Campaigns
Asbestos
Asbestos is a deadly substance. Studies have shown that both one-time and long-term exposure can lead to serious asbestos-related diseases. Today, more than 30 countries have banned the use of asbestos because of the danger it poses to human health.
Up to the mid-1970s, asbestos was used widely in the construction of our campus buildings and can be found in ceiling and floor tiles, soundproofing and thermal insulation, laboratory counters, shingles and electrical and telephone conduits.
Faculty, students and staff are at risk of contracting an asbestos-related disease if asbestos fibres become air-borne during renovations, through natural wear-and-tear or if accidentally disturbed.
Where we stand
CAUT believes that the presence of asbestos on campus is a threat to the health and safety of its members, as well as other staff, students and visitors on campus. The best solution is complete removal of all asbestos products.
CAUT National Asbestos Campaign Kit
Contents (pdf documents)
- CAUT Resolution on Asbestos
- Speaker's Notes on Asbestos
- Sample News Release for Member Associations (html)
- Current Status of Asbestos Use in Canada
- Current Asbestos Bans and Restrictions
- Asbestos Management Plan
- Asbestos Management Plan Checklist
- Where to Find Asbestos Regulations
- Ministries of Labour
- Occupational Health Clinics
- Sample letter to M.D. [pdf]
- CAUT Factsheet: Asbestos
- Leaflet
- Posters
Click here for the pdf of the entire kit (This is a large file - 26 pages @ 12.28 MB)
Resources
- Barry Castleman, "Canada's Deadly Export." The Washington Post, November 19, 2004.
- CAW, "Canada and Asbestos: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." CAW Factsheet, September/ October 2004.
- Paco Francoli, "Rookie MP leaves West Block, suggests asbestos a problem." The Hill Times, November 1, 2004.
- Joseph LaDou, "The Asbestos Cancer Epidemic." Environmental Health Perspectives, March 2004.
- James Meikle, "We can't leave them to suffer alone." The Guardian, September 16, 2004.
- Robert Sass, "Enforcement of Requirements, Not Limits: A Case Study of Asbestos Standards in Saskatchewan." 1982.
- Annie Thébaud-Mony, "Occupational Cancer in a Paris Suburb: First Results of a Proactive Research Study in Seine Saint-Denis." International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, Volume II, Number 3, July/September 2005
Other Resources
CAUT Letters (in pdf format)
- Letter to the Prime Minister supporting the inclusion of chrysotile on the PIC list of the United Nations Environment Program (Sept 2004)
- Letter to the Minister of the Environment calling on the government to ban the export of asbestos (Mar 2004)
Top of page