Canadian Town Concerned about Asbestos Pipes

August 18, 2006 - A higher than usual rate of cancer among residents has caused Springdale, Newfoundland citizens to question the safety of the asbestos-containing pipes that carry their water supply. 

According to the Nor’wester newspaper, Mayor Kevin Pollard confirmed that the town does indeed have asbestos cement pipes that were installed in the 1950s that carry much of the town’s water supply.  But the mayor told the newspaper that there was no “conclusive evidence” that the pipes were dangerous to local residents.

“I understand the concern from our citizens and rightfully so, and we as a council are concerned as well. It is one issue that we are seeking more information on, in a nutshell,” said Pollard. “I am not ready to go out and say today that asbestos in our drinking water has absolutely no effect. I don’t know. I am not a scientist or an engineer or environmental specialist. There are specialists who don’t even know.

“There is a high cancer incidence in Springdale so rightfully, citizens are concerned. Some of them are correlating that with asbestos lines. Now whether or not that is true, I don’t know,” he stated.

According to information found in a 1986 document entitled “Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality”, scientists believe “there is no consistent, convincing evidence that ingested asbestos is hazardous. There is, therefore, no need to establish a maximum acceptable concentration for asbestos in drinking water.”

Danger arises, however, when the pipes become corrosive, but Springdale authorities maintain that the town’s pipes are in good condition. 

“My experience with the outside of the pipe is that there has been no real bad spots in town where the pipe has actually been eaten away at the exterior. So it seems like to me it is in good quality. I feel comfortable,” said Public Works superintendent Pat King.