Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is tied to respect of environment, to energy consumption and to the life cycle of products. A greater product durability contributes to reduce the wasting of resources, energy consumption and pollution.

Chrysotile is among the least dangerous industrial fibres. Requiring little energy to produce, it could help Quebec and Canada to meet the objectives of emission of greenhouse gases under the Kyoto protocol. Properly used in appropriate matrixes, chrysotile fibres could contribute to making products of great durability.

Asphalt with chrysotile

Since 1987, the Quebec Ministry of Transport has used over 1 million tonnes of chrysotile based bituminous coverings on certain Quebec roads. The Ministry of Transport's engineers have shown that it is possible to safely install and use this product and that its durability is nearly double that of conventional paving, this for an additional 10 to 15% installed cost. Two independent studies of paving of chrysotile based asphalt have shown that worker's exposure was within norms even under the worst scarifying conditions.

Considering the state of Quebec roads and the need to reduce maintenance costs, we are of the opinion that it is urgent for the Ministry of Transport and Quebec municipalities to massively use asphalt with chrysotile covering on all roads and streets subjected to heavy traffic. In addition to reducing maintenance costs, there will be a reduction in energy consumption for road repairs and a reduction in accident risks for road users and road workers.

Fibre-cement with chrysotile (chryso-cement)

This composite material which has been used for over a century all over the world for potable water pipes, sewer pipes, wall sheets, tiles, roofing shingles, etc… continues to provide inestimable service to humanity.

This durable material won't burn, won't rust or rot and requires little or no maintenance. For example, asphalt roofing shingles used on our residences last 15 to 20 years. In comparison chryso-cement roofing tiles last 50 to 100 years and their energy content per square metre of roof is less than one half. For a life cycle of 100 years, the energy content of the chryso-cement roof would be 6 to 10 times less without considering the saving of material and the reduction of waste to the waste burial site.

It is the same for chryso-cement pipes used for public infrastructure or rain water drains of building. They are fireproof, very durable and it would be advantageous for them to be better known and used.

The principle restriction to the use of chryso-cement is of a regulatory nature. The workplace health and safety commission (CSST) and public health personnel should put their prejudices aside and allow more flexibility in the regulations in order to favour the use of such products. A certain amount of political negotiation is required to reconcile the objectives of sustainable development and the inequitable and extremist regulations for chrysotile, particularly concerning the construction and industrial transformation sectors.