The federal government has begun combing through tens of thousands of construction records on Canadian Indian reserves to identify homes containing an asbestos-contaminated insulation linked to cancer. The exhaustive review was announced yesterday as Health Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs posted guidelines on their websites on how to deal with the substance, known as vermiculite. Experts estimate there could be hundreds of thousands of homes across the country that contain the insulation, which was imported to Canada from a U.S. producer until 1990. The substance was present in the reserve home of a Manitoba family, four of whose members have been stricken with mesothelioma, a cancer linked to asbestos. Two of those individuals have died. "In situations where records indicate that vermiculite insulation that may contain asbestos was used we will be working with our federal colleagues and First Nations to make sure the health of community members is not compromised," said the Indian Affairs website. Hugh Ryan, manager of housing for the department, said early reviews of the housing stock indicate use of vermiculite on reserves was not extensive. However, he couldn't say how many records have been checked. There are 93,474 houses on reserves across the country. The review will take several weeks because officials are forced to look at files from 1960 to 1990. Mr. Ryan said the review began a few weeks ago, but was announced publicly only yesterday. Critics said that simply locating the substance is not good enough. NDP native affairs critic Pat Martin said the government must remove all individuals from affected homes. He said the federal government is liable to pay for the costs because it is responsible for housing on reserves. Mr. Martin acknowledged that such a program would be extremely expensive. "They have to remove people from hazardous conditions. Another generation is being poisoned by this incredibly toxic material," he said. "It just accentuates what we know already, that housing stock in the aboriginal community is atrocious." Mr. Ryan said it is not the government's responsibility to remove the substance from reserve homes. However, government health officials will work with native bands to alert individuals whose homes contain the substance. The issue has been highlighted by the experience of a Manitoba native family living on a reserve home that was insulated with vermiculite. Raven Thundersky, 38, said this week that two sisters died from cancer linked to the asbestos-laced product, while her mother and another sister have been diagnosed with it. Government officials met with the Assembly of First Nations yesterday to discuss the issue. Experts say that the insulation -- a pebbly substance coloured blond or grey -- is dangerous only if the asbestos becomes airborne. However, the hazard is considered to be greater on native reserves because of chronic overcrowding. On its website yesterday, Health Canada issued a series of warnings designed to protect those Canadians whose homes might include vermiculite insulation. It recommends that homeowners use professionals to remove the substance, and that all cracks and holes in ceilings below the insulation be sealed. "If you have vermiculite-based insulation and you decide to have it removed, speak to trained and qualified asbestos-removal professionals to handle the insulation removal," said the website. ". . . NEVER attempt to remove the insulation yourself." Earlier in the day, members of an interest group calling itself Ban Asbestos Canada, said the government should pay to have the asbestos taken out.
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