'We have to find a solution': W5 investigation explores risk of asbestos cement pipes in Regina
Over 500 kilometres of asbestos cement pipes run through Regina’s water utility system, according to findings from a W5 investigation.
Due to their supposed durability and low cost, over two million kilometres of asbestos cement pipes could be found around the world at one point, with Canada being no exception.
Asbestos was once considered a miracle mineral, being used in thousands of products for its insulating and fireproofing properties.
However, in the 1960’s, Dr. Irving Selikoff discovered that asbestos particles were poisonous when inhaled and linked the mineral to the respiratory illnesses of millions of asbestos workers.
Now, a different kind of concern surrounds the use of asbestos.
“As these pipes start to age, as this infrastructure starts to go, they tend to fail catastrophically,” W5 correspondent Eric Szeto told CTV Regina Morning Live.
“There’s concern that these fibres go off, break off these pipes, and end up going into your taps, and you end up drinking it.”
The science isn’t as clear about what happens if you ingest or drink asbestos particles.
Regardless, leading experts in the field are still worried.
“We are constantly getting more and more evidence. Some of it going back 50 years, but more and more evidence that it can cause gastrointestinal tract cancers,” Arthur Frank, a physician and professor of public health at Drexel University told CTV News.
Due to ground shifting, the Queen City is plagued with frequent breaks in its water lines.
Julian Branch, an activist and former journalist who lives in Regina, says there needs to be more awareness and more action from all levels of government on the issue.
“The asbestos is going into the water and according to our federal government, according to federal studies, it's causing a health concern,” Branch said.
“Canadians should be very concerned about their drinking water.”
As part of its investigation, W5 contacted 100 communities across Canada. Ninety nine per cent of those communities that responded still used asbestos in their piping.
The European Union no longer wants asbestos cement pipes delivering water, with the organization advocating for their removal.
Meanwhile in Canada, there has been little push to do this federally.
Health Canada maintains there is no consistent evidence drinking or ingesting asbestos is harmful.
That stance has led to there to be no maximum limit to asbestos in water, and no maximum means there is no need for testing.
Branch believes that there is a “complete and utter lack of political accountability” on the issue.
“It’s up to the politicians today to find a solution. We can't just keep pretending it's not there,” he said.
“We have to find a solution to this before it's too late."
For the results and the full story, ‘Something in the Water’ is available on the CTV News website.
With files from CTV’s Eric Szeto and CTV Regina Morning Live
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.