Asbestos and Mesothelioma in Canada

Asbestos Risk in Canada

Occupational asbestos exposure is an ongoing issue in Canada, even with decreased use of the material. An estimated 235,000 Canadian workers experienced some type of exposure while on the job. Of these workers, 5% have high exposure, 46% have moderate exposure and 49% have low exposure. 

Most of these workers are men within the construction industry. In 2019, 460 Canadians received a diagnosis of mesothelioma and in 2022, 472 Canadians died of the disease. Of these, 80% were men. 

Direct asbestos use and handling has declined, but the material remains in older buildings. Anyone who spends a lot of time in these aging structures has a higher risk of developing an asbestos-related illness. Legacy asbestos is a big risk factor for mesothelioma cancer.

Additionally, while asbestos mines like Quebec’s Thetford have closed, as have asbestos manufacturing plants, the latency period between exposure and when symptoms present is between 20 to 60 years. Many Canadians continue to receive diagnoses of asbestos-related diseases today.

Who Is at Risk of Asbestos Exposure?

Though Canada’s asbestos mines closed, Canadian workers are still at risk of exposure across many industries, especially those who spend significant time in older buildings. Asbestos use in building materials was at its height before the 1980s. 

More than 20,000 buildings in Canada still contain asbestos. Insulation, roofing shingles, paint and floor and ceiling tiles are some of the biggest categories of asbestos-containing products.

Some of the highest rates of mesothelioma occur in Quebec and Vancouver, where mining and shipyards were major employers. A 2022 study determined that Quebec’s Lake Becancour contains sediment with up to 4.4% asbestos by weight. 

Demolition and remodeling of older buildings is often dangerous because it disturbs the asbestos. The material is most hazardous when the fibers get crushed. Asbestos dust becomes airborne, making it easier to breathe in. Breaking any product made with asbestos releases tiny fibers into the air that are a health threat to anyone nearby. 

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Is Asbestos Banned in Canada?

Canada officially banned asbestos in 2018 with the Prohibition of Asbestos and Products Containing Asbestos Regulations. However, some industries received an exemption to continue legally using the toxic mineral within stated regulations. 

The military and nuclear energy industries have until 2029 to phase out asbestos use. The deadline is 2030 for the chloralkali industry. Another notable exception is magnesium extraction companies, which can continue to use asbestos mining waste. 

The government has also moved toward restricting talc products such as cosmetics. Canada will likely label talc as an official toxic substance because of frequent asbestos contamination. Some Canadians may be able to file lawsuits involving asbestos-contaminated talc. 

Canadian Asbestos Mines

All Canadian asbestos mines are currently inactive as of the final closures of Quebec’s Jeffrey Mine in Val-des-Sources and the Lac d’amiante du Canada, or Thetford Mine, in 2011. Putting a stop to asbestos production will most likely have a significant impact on the future mesothelioma rate in Canada. 

Canada opened its first asbestos mine in 1874 in the province of Quebec. Asbestos was soon considered “Canada’s Gold,” and the country produced 40% of the world’s chrysotile asbestos at one time, with the biggest deposits in British Columbia, Newfoundland, Quebec and Yukon. 

The significance of asbestos to Canada inspired one mining town in Quebec to adopt the name “Asbestos” out of pride. However, Health Canada began to study asbestos and its threats to health in early 2008. Asbestos’s mine closed in 2011, and the town renamed itself Val-des-Sources in 2020 to avoid further association with the toxic material.

Despite shutting down the asbestos mining industry, the country’s past industry has continued environmental and socio-economic impacts. Some areas remain covered in asbestos mining residue, with area residents facing health risks. There is high demand for reclamation efforts to restore the ecological health in affected areas. 

Mesothelioma Cancer and Canadians

Most cases of mesothelioma in Canada stem from occupational asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma can develop in the chest or abdomen. The pleural form affects the chest lining and lungs, while the peritoneal type affects the abdominal lining. Common symptoms of mesothelioma include cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain. 

Asbestos fibers easily break down into dust and float through the air. When an individual breathes these particles in, they get trapped within the sensitive tissues of the chest and abdomen, leading to years of irritation. 

It can take between 20 and 60 years for this irritation to develop into disease and manifest symptoms. This latency period makes getting an early diagnosis difficult, with many cancers diagnosed only after they develop into later stages.

Survivor Story

Jayda K. Peritoneal mesothelioma

Canadian Mesothelioma Survivor: ‘Advocate for Yourself’

Survivor Story

The Ottawa, Ontario, resident was diagnosed at age 31. It took an expert pathologist who specialized in mesothelioma to identify the cancer. Jayda was most likely exposed to asbestos as a child through her father, who worked in a lab at a coal mine where he used and tested asbestos products. He also did mechanical work with asbestos parts on the machinery.

Read Jayda’s Story

Mesothelioma Cases Continue to Rise

Despite the ban on asbestos, the annual rate of mesothelioma cases in Canada has jumped from 75 cases in 1993, to 250 in 2017, to 460 diagnosed cases in 2019. The disease’s extended latency period of decades means that new cases will likely continue to emerge for some time. 

The rate of this cancer in men aged 60 and under has slightly declined. However, it’s unlikely that the overall mesothelioma rate in Canada will decrease significantly for many years. 

Compensation for Asbestos Exposure in Canada

Some Canadian residents may be eligible for compensation if their exposure happened on the job as a result of an employer’s negligence. Provincial governments have a system in place to pay patients and families experiencing the impacts of asbestos in Canada. Anyone whose exposure occurred while living or working in the United States can file a claim in the U.S. to seek compensation. 

Speak with an experienced attorney specializing in asbestos-related illnesses to determine if your case qualifies you for compensation from a trust fund or lawsuit. You must have proof of your diagnosis and evidence of asbestos exposure. Most eligible people can receive compensation in three to six months. 

Asbestos Lawsuits and Trust Funds for Canadians

Mesothelioma patients in Canada have the option to file either a lawsuit or trust fund claim to get financial compensation. Family members who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma can also file a lawsuit to pursue a wrongful death claim. 

Patients and families can use the money to help cover the cost of medical bills, lost work and other expenses related to their diagnosis. Eligible residents can pursue additional options for compensation or financial assistance through the Canada Pension Plan, WorkSafeBC disability pension or Veterans Affairs, which offers disability pensions and class action lawsuits. 

Mesothelioma Treatment in Canada

Canada’s socialized medical model makes treatment options for mesothelioma accessible to many patients. Doctors use a multimodal approach to treat mesothelioma. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are frequent methods of treatment. Some patients may also be eligible for clinical trials. 

Heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery have proven safe and effective for some individuals with peritoneal mesothelioma. In patients with pleural mesothelioma, adding pembrolizumab to standard chemo treatments can increase survival rates. 

Canadian Treatment Centers

Mesothelioma treatment centers provide a wide range of options to patients. The treatment center that is right for you depends on factors like your cancer stage and tumor size as well as your location. Some centers also take patient age and overall health into consideration. 

Speak with your doctor regarding your options for treatment to get recommendations on what is right for you. Discuss your plans with your family as well. It’s important to have a support system to rely on as you focus on your treatment. 

Mesothelioma Specialists in Canada

You can find a variety of Canadian healthcare providers familiar with asbestos-related diseases, including oncologists, radiologists and surgeons. The number of doctors who specialize in treating mesothelioma continues to increase.

Seek out medical practitioners who have experience and training in treating mesothelioma. Their specialized knowledge and skill sets allow them to provide the best possible care. 

Clinical Trials

Patients may want to consider getting involved in a clinical research trial. The Canadian Cancer Society and the U.S. National Cancer Institute often work together on clinical trials that test the safety and effectiveness of emerging mesothelioma treatments. 

One current clinical trial open to eligible candidates is taking place at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Ontario. This study is researching the safest effective dose of a new type of radiation after surgery. It ends in 2025. 

An excellent source to check for open clinical trials throughout Canada is the Government of Canada website. If you are considering a clinical trial, speak with your doctor about eligibility. 

Common Questions About Asbestos in Canada

What year did asbestos stop being used in Canada?

Canada banned asbestos in 2018 with the Prohibition of Asbestos and Products Containing Asbestos Regulations, but left several legal exemptions. The military and nuclear energy industries can use asbestos until 2029, while the chloralkali industry has until 2030 to stop usage. Magnesium extraction companies can continue to produce asbestos mining waste.

While all asbestos mines closed by 2011, many older buildings still pose an exposure risk as they contain materials made with asbestos.

How many people died as a result of asbestos in Canada?

Recent mesothelioma rate statistics show that cases steadily increased over the years, reaching 460 diagnoses in 2019. An estimated five Canadians receive an asbestos-related diagnosis every day.

2022 statistics reported 472 deaths from mesothelioma. 377 of these were men and 95 were women.

Where did asbestos have the most impact in Canada?

The regions in Canada that experienced the most impact from asbestos were those that contained large mineral deposits where workers mined and transported the material. This includes British Columbia, Newfoundland, Quebec and Yukon. Miners, along with truck drivers and ship loaders, had high levels of exposure daily.