Asbestos Health Study released after 10 Months

Two problems have arisen out of an asbestos health study conducted in Ottawa, Ontario.

The first problem was that the study linked chrysolite asbestos to lung cancer. The second and more important problem was that it has taken the agency about a year to release the report.

It took the agency 10 months to receive a copy of the report under the Access to Information law because of the long period of processing it requested according to CanWest News Service.

The Health Canada website had a fact sheet that warned about the dangers posed by asbestos. In the sheet, Health Canada stated that all forms of asbestos are deemed carcinogenic and links have been discovered between asbestos, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

CanWest pointed out that the members on the Health Canada panel had opposing views from findings in past reports. The panel delayed the release of the report. David Bernstein, formerly connected with asbestos firms, was named as a panelist with strong opposing views.

Leslie Stayner, a University of Illinois School of Public Health director, was quoted that panel members could not agree on the degree of difference between exposure to amphibole asbestos and chrysolite asbestos with mesothelioma. She also stated, “The bottom line here is that all forms of asbestos cause both mesothelioma and lung cancer.”

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. It can take a long time for symptoms to appear, often as long as 30 years. For this reason, a mesothelioma diagnosis is often fatal.

Experienced mesothelioma attoneys can help you find the resources that can help maintain a good quality of life after diagnosis. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation. Seek the advice of an asbestos attorney about a mesothelioma lawsuit.