Canadian Mesothelioma Foundation

04/27/2026

Each year on April 28th, we honour everyone who has lost their life, suffered injury or illness, or been affected by a work-related tragedy. At the Canadian Mesothelioma Foundation, we join in remembering all workers, while reflecting on the devastating impact of asbestos exposure through mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases.

Although these cases are from past exposure, the danger isn't over. Right now, 235,000 Canadian workers (many in construction) are still at risk when working with old buildings containing asbestos.

We pause to remember the lives taken by this disease and renew our commitment to preventing future illnesses. We are grateful to stand with those building safer workplaces and to support the families who need us most.

If you would like to attend a National Day of Mourning Ceremony, visit canadianlabour.ca/events/day-of-mourning-ceremonies-2026 for a list of locations.

Image: “Magic and Lethal: The Asbestos Memorial” in Vancouver, BC.
Photo by The Vancouver Convention Centre

04/23/2026

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is meant to protect Americans from the risks posed by dangerous materials like asbestos, which causes mesothelioma and other serious illnesses. This week, the nonprofit group the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization filed a federal lawsuit in Washington, D....

04/07/2026

A billion years ago, talc and asbestos formed from the same ancient rock in the Earth’s crust. Depending on the conditions, the result may have been pure talc, pure asbestos, or a mixture of both minerals in the same deposit.

Industrial-scale mining of talc and asbestos, as well as mixed talc-asbestos ores such as tremolite-talc, began in the late 1800s. Even though evidence of possible asbestosis-like lung disease in talc miners was published as early as 1933, asbestos would not be widely considered a dangerous contaminant of talc-based products until the 1970s.

When the FDA proposed regulations on talc, the cosmetics industry countered with the promise of self-regulation and adopted voluntary guidelines that required cosmetic talc to be free of detectable asbestos in 1976. Mandatory testing for the presence of asbestos in cosmetics containing talc was proposed again by the FDA in 2024 before being ultimately withdrawn in 2025.

In Canada, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act has prohibited “asbestos above trace levels in products available to consumers, including cosmetics” since 2018. Products containing talc must comply with Health Canada’s risk management guidelines, including mandatory labeling requirements for cosmetics, natural health products and non-prescription drugs that contain talc. Talc in powder-based products for infants and children has been listed as a restricted ingredient on the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist since 2007, and in 2024 the entry was updated to address risks associated with both inhalation and perineal use in cosmetics.

To minimize your exposure:

1. Read product labels and follow all safety warnings and directions for use.

2. Avoid inhaling loose talc powder; apply carefully in a well-ventilated area.

3. Keep loose powder products away from children's faces to avoid inhalation.

4. Do not apply products that contain talc to the ge***al area to avoid risk of ovarian and cervical cancer.

5. Look for talc-free alternatives.

6. Do not use talc-containing products on broken skin.

7. If you may be exposed to talc at work, talk to your employer or OHS representative about safe handling and storage.

02/09/2026

Could your home’s plumbing contain asbestos? 🚰

If your home was built or renovated before the 1990s, asbestos may be present in various plumbing components such as:
👉 Cement pipes
👉 Appliance and pipe insulation
👉 Gaskets, seals and other fittings

🛑 Is asbestos in plumbing dangerous?
Asbestos used in residential plumbing is typically contained by a barrier (plastic-wrapped pipe insulation) or embedded in a compound (cement, gaskets) which generally prevents fibres from becoming airborne, unless the insulation is exposed or concrete/compound is crumbling. If plumbing that was installed before 1990 is damaged, inhaling asbestos fibres is a risk.

⚠️ How to proceed with caution

If your plumbing was installed before 1990:
1️⃣ Don't disturb it. Avoid sanding, cutting, or removing insulation, gaskets, or cement fittings.
2️⃣ Assume that asbestos is present. Treat pre-1990 plumbing components as potentially containing asbestos until proven otherwise.
3️⃣ Call a professional. Licensed or certified asbestos abatement professionals are trained to safely test for and remove asbestos without releasing fibres.

Stay informed, stay safe. If you suspect asbestos, consult your provincial regulations or a licensed professional.

💬 Did you know asbestos was once common in plumbing?
🔗 Learn more: cmfonline.org/asbestos-resources

01/02/2026

Occupational asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma in Canada and the risk of exposure is highest for workers in construction and the building trades.

👉 Why the Risk Is Higher in Construction

Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were used in a wide range of building products for decades, and many older homes, commercial buildings, and public facilities still contain them. When ACMs are disturbed during renovation, repair, or demolition work, asbestos fibres are released. Once airborne, these fibres can be inhaled, ingested or carried home on clothing.

👉 Why Exposure Still Happens

As we noted in our last post, Canada has no national standard for asbestos management. Asbestos regulations, definitions, permitting rules, training requirements, and safety practices vary widely across the country.

Because of these inconsistencies, asbestos may be untested, undocumented, mislabeled, or simply overlooked on construction sites. In some jurisdictions, testing or hazard assessments are required before work begins; in others, they aren’t. And even when assessments are required, they’re not always carried out or communicated to workers—leaving crews without the information they need to work safely.

👉 What Can Be Done to Protect Workers

Knowing why it happens doesn’t make asbestos exposure acceptable. System-level change is needed including clearer regulations, better enforcement, consistent testing requirements, and improved public awareness.

👉 Workers’ Right to Know

Being aware of potential asbestos hazards helps workers make informed decisions on the job. It allows them to recognize when materials may contain asbestos, assess whether testing or documentation is complete, and identify when controls or communication fall short. Knowledge gives workers the ability to speak up, ask the right questions, and ensure safe practices are being followed.

The CMF supports the need for a unified national standard for asbestos management and better protection for workers across Canada. To learn more or get involved, visit cmfonline.org

12/28/2025

The Manitoba government is introducing tougher regulations to prevent exposure to asbestos in the workplace.

Manitoba is updating its regulations governing the handling of asbestos to protect workers from dangerous exposure to the material, the leading cause of work-place related deaths in the province, the government says.

12/16/2025

Warmest wishes this holiday season from everyone at the Canadian Mesothelioma Foundation. We’re grateful for the compassion and commitment of our community.

Your generosity helps us support patients and families, advance education, and increase awareness about the ongoing risks of asbestos exposure in Canada.

As we look ahead to 2026, we invite you to consider a year-end donation to help us continue this important work. Every gift, large or small, brings us closer to better protection and better outcomes for Canadians.

Thank you for being part of this community.

💜 cmfonline.org/donate

12/02/2025

GivingTuesday is a global day of giving, a day of generosity that encourages people to put aside consumerism, do good, and build stronger communities.

Our founder and current Chair of the Board of Directors, Eudice Goldberg, became passionately interested in supporting patients with mesothelioma and advocating for a future without asbestos because of her family's personal experiences with mesothelioma. She and her son, Michael, started the Canadian Mesothelioma Foundation in 2008 to commemorate her partner, Arthur Konviser, who was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma and passed away from the disease in 2005. They were committed to honouring his memory and to improving the experiences of others diagnosed with this devastating disease, so that they and their families didn’t have to go through what they went through.

Since starting the CMF, Eudice has seen firsthand the difference that the CMF's work can make in the lives of those it serves. She and all those who work with the CMF are so grateful for the support of donors like you who make our work possible.

Please consider supporting the CMF on this special day. Link to donate is in the comments below.

Send a message to learn more

11/27/2025

Would you be surprised to learn that there is no national standard for managing asbestos in Canada?

In 2021, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) published a research report that examined how asbestos is currently managed across the country and whether a national standard could strengthen protection for Canadians.
The research project found that while many regulations and practices exist, they differ widely across provinces and territories. These variations in how asbestos is defined, documented, and addressed has led to uneven levels of safety, training, and public awareness.

Developing a national asbestos management standard could help close those gaps by promoting clear, consistent practices for identifying, handling, and safely removing asbestos. It would also support stronger coordination and fairer protection for all Canadians, regardless of where they live or work.

With new cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases continuing to rise, effective asbestos management remains one of the most powerful tools for prevention. Research like this helps chart a path toward an asbestos-free future—one built on collaboration, awareness, and continued support for research and education on mesothelioma and the hazards of asbestos.

The CMF is dedicated to raising awareness, supporting patients and families, and helping build a network of expertise across Canada. For more information and resources for those affected by mesothelioma, visit cmfonline.org

11/13/2025

For the Canadian Mesothelioma Foundation, managing asbestos exposure is about more than preventing mesothelioma—it’s about reducing all asbestos-related cancers, including lung cancer.

Occupational asbestos exposure is responsible for approximately 1,900 lung cancers and almost 600 mesotheliomas annually—accounting for 8% of all lung cancers and 81% of mesotheliomas diagnosed in Canada.

Although asbestos was banned in 2018, it remains in many older public buildings, workplaces, and homes. An estimated 235,000 Canadians continue to be exposed at work, most in construction and specialty trades such as carpentry, electrical work, and building maintenance.

The human and economic impact of asbestos exposure is substantial. Each year, occupational and “take-home” asbestos exposure is estimated to cost $2.35 billion, including health impacts, healthcare costs, caregiving, and productivity losses.

Preventing asbestos-related cancers requires coordinated national action:
• Creating a public registry of buildings that contain asbestos
• Developing a framework to monitor and report exposure
• Establishing a mandatory national standard for asbestos management
• Removing remaining exemptions from the asbestos ban

By managing asbestos safely and strengthening prevention policies, Canada can reduce the future burden of both lung cancer and mesothelioma.
To learn more about how research, education, and coordinated action can reduce asbestos-related cancers in Canada, visit cmfonline.org

10/30/2025

What an unforgettable night! ✨

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2025 Mission for Meso Gala a success:

To all those who attended and supported the event, thank you for joining us!

Special thanks to those who donated exclusive experiences and items for the silent auction:
Loch Gallery
Van Rijk Jewellers - Dealers of Estate Jewellery and Watches
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Canadian Opera Company

And to our generous sponsors, whose continued support makes this event possible:
Miskin Law Office
Insulators Union
Atherton Law Firm
Unifor Canada
Motley Rice
LiUNA Canada
Heat & Frost Insulators, Local 95
Canada's Building Trades Unions
Greenjobsgreatjobs BC Insulators

As the CMF’s cornerstone fundraising event, the Mission for Meso Gala helps make vital research, education, and support programs possible for Canadians affected by mesothelioma. A successful evening means continued progress toward better awareness, treatment, and prevention.