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11/8/2009
An aggressive cancer linked to asbestos exposure is killing more Canadians than ever before.
The latest federal figures show the number of new cases of mesothelioma reported annually shot up 67 per cent over a decade and a half.
Most people who diagnosed with mesothelioma have only six months to two years to live.
Kathleen Ruff, the former director of the B-C Human Rights Commission, says asbestos-related diseases are like old landmines.
Even though asbestos no longer goes into new Canadian buildings, its presence in old buildings still poses a risk.
And Canada still exports 175-thousand tonnes per year of raw chrysotile -- a form of asbestos -- to mostly poorer countries.
Advocates say it's safer than other forms of asbestos, but its critics say that's like calling a light cigarette safer than a regular one.
(aw/cp)
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