Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan leader Rose Buscholl (left), Saskatchewan Green Party leader Naomi Hunter, and Saskatchewan Progress Party Chief Official Agent Michael Medby held a press conference today calling on the Provincial Auditor to investigate Communities of Tomorrow, which came into being in 2003.

It is unnecessary to educate us on the dangers of asbestos, as we have been aware of its harmful effects for many years. “Asbestos causes cancer; it is a lethal carcinogen.” Consuming water from a leaking asbestos cement water pipe is dangerous. Regardless of how asbestos is ingested, exposure is hazardous. Further studies on the negative effects of asbestos on human health and the environment are not required. What is required is an accurate assessment of the state that asbestos pipes are in currently and an acknowledgment of the health hazards they pose to the people of Saskatchewan.

Green Party leaders are demanding action and answers on tens of thousands of old asbestos cement water pipes in Canada. The pipes were installed decades ago. Federal studies show the pipes can contain up to 20% asbestos fibres, that they deteriorate with age, and can release fibres into the water causing a “health concern.”

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates asbestos in water. It maintains long-term ingestion (swallowing) of asbestos can cause lung disease and cancer. Health Canada says there is no consistent, convincing evidence that ingesting asbestos is hazardous. It is not regulated in water in Canada. In 1992, the EPA established a Maximum Contaminant Level of seven million fibres per litre (7 MFL) for asbestos in water “To protect against cancer.”