OBJECTIVES
- Promote the adoption and application of appropriate prevention and control measures, regulations, standards, work practices and techniques for the safe use of chrysotile
- Take part in international conferences by offering relevant documentation, advice, or technical, medical and scientific training to chrysotile producers and users of chrysotile in other countries as well as to industrial health specialists. To date, the Chrysotile Institute has organized more than 100 missions of this nature to some 60 countries;
- Gather and disseminate medical, scientific and technical data about chrysotile and substitute fibres;
- Inform and advise the general public, the media, lawmakers, workers, as well as special interest groups on the potential risks related to breathable fibres.
STRUCTURE
The Chrysotile Institute, a non profit organization established in 1984, is directed by a Board of directors made up of industry, labour and government representatives. The Board establishes policies and approves the program and the budget. The Institute relies on the cooperation of a large network of medical, scientific, legal and technical experts and advisors, who provide services upon request.
ACTIVITIES
Creation of national industrial associations
Since its founding in 1984, the Institute has provided technical and financial aid for the creation of a dozen national industry associations in as many countries. These associations distribute health and safety information to their members, organize training seminars, coordinate dust-monitoring activities with the International Chrysotile Association (ICA), coordinate government-industry relations and monitor developments.
Training workshops and courses
Organized in cooperation with national governments and often the International Labour Organisation (ILO), these activities are intended to promote the controlled use of chrysotile. To this end, the Institute has developed manuals on safe working methods and equipment, as well organized training courses for industrial health specialists and workers on air monitoring and dust control techniques.
The Institute has participated, in various capacities, in cooperation activities with more than 60 countries and most regions of the world, including:
ASIA
Bangladesh
China
Hong Kong
India
Japan
Korea
Malaysia
Pakistan
Philippines
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Thailand |
AMERICA
Brasil
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Cuba
El Salvador
United-States
Jamaica
Mexico
Panama
Peru
Venezuela |
EUROPE
Belgium
Czechoslovakia
France
Portugal
Rumania
United Kingdom
Switzerland
Turkey
Yugoslavia |
AFRICA
Algeria
Egypt
Morocco
Senegal
Tunisia
Zimbabwe |
Regulatory activities
The Institute tracks regulatory developments relating to asbestos and other fibres around the world, and attends international meetings on health and safety issues associated with their use.
In Canada, the Institute collaborates with government in updating federal and provincial regulations in accordance with the latest scientific data and technical breakthroughs.
With the cooperation of the governments of Canada and Québec, the Institute also works with governments in other countries to promote the standardization of chrysotile regulations.
Publications
The Institute publishes bimonthly newsletters, as well as numerous documents and videos on health, safety and chrysotile products.
Since the fall of 1995, the Institute has transferred a large number of documents to its Internet site, including a complete manual of prevention and control measures for industry, and a biomedical data bank which houses summaries of more than 8,000 scientific works.
Photos albums
About the Institute
Print version