March 24, 2026
RE: Draft Guidance on Asbestos in Drinking Water
To Whom It May Concern,
I appreciate the opportunity to participate in Health Canada’s consultation on asbestos in Canadian drinking water. This is an understudied and unregulated issue, affecting the health of thousands of citizens across the country. While the effects of inhaling asbestos
are well understood due to significant research and monitoring over time, research on the effects of oral exposure to the fibrous mineral is lacking. This is a concerning gap that needs to be addressed to ensure all Canadians can access safe drinking water—as is their right.
In finalizing guidance on asbestos in drinking water, I urge you to consider the background, health impacts, pathways to exposure, global standards, replacement and research recommendations, elaborated below.
Problem Overview
I have long advocated for action on this matter, recognizing the potential public health implications and need for proactive infrastructure management. On November 9, 2023, I tabled parliamentary petition e-4375 in the House of Commons. The petition called for urgent federal action regarding asbestos-cement (A-C) water pipes across Canada. Many of these pipes were installed between the 1940s and 1950s and have degraded significantly over time. It is estimated that approximately 14,000 kilometres of A-C pipe remain in use across the country. Roughly 20 percent of the composition of these pipes is asbestos. As deterioration continues, concerns have grown about potential fibre
release, infrastructure reliability, and the long-term safety of drinking water systems, underscoring the need for coordinated federal attention and support for replacement efforts.
Health
Protecting the health of all Canadians should be of utmost importance to the Government of Canada, particularly when dealing with substances known to lead to serious health risks. Asbestos is a known carcinogen that can ultimately lead to various forms of cancers such as liver, GI tract, bladder in addition to lung disease. Health Canada notes that the majority of animal studies on asbestos exposure demonstrate ingestion can result in cancer, and many additional studies demonstrate its cancer-causing effects in various tissues. Although the majority of research has focused on the health effects of inhaling asbestos, there is little reason to believe that ingesting asbestos in drinking water would be any less harmful to the human body.
Another significant issue includes the lack of standards or accredited laboratories in Canada that study the effects of oral exposure and digestion of asbestos in the body. Establishing clear standards for asbestos in drinking water would set limits based on particle sizes similar to other cancer-causing pollutants, such as PM2.5, which are about 2.5 microns.
Pathways to Exposure
There are multiple pathways to asbestos exposure through water systems. The thousands of kilometres of A-C pipes across Canada continuously expose Canadians to high levels of this carcinogen in drinking water. Likewise, asbestos can enter drinking water from natural sources, such as the erosion and runoff of asbestos-containing soil
and rock. It can also be introduced through human activities, including mining, as well as from the deterioration of aging asbestos-cement (A-C) pipes within drinking water distribution systems. Asbestos fibres have no detectable taste or odour, and they neither dissolve in water nor evaporate. As the thousands of kilometres of A-C pipes are at the
end of their lifespan, A-C pipes can result in costly water outages and unexpected repairs. Further, as pipes are not used regularly, a build-up of “slugs” can take place. When water flow resumes, these slugs may be released all at once, potentially resulting in higher concentrations of asbestos being consumed in a single exposure. When you have multiple points of exposure, the health risks of asbestos are amplified too.
Global Standards
In contrast to the Canadian context, since 1993, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has regulated asbestos in water. Several countries around the world, including those in the European Union (EU), have likewise implemented asbestos drinking water regulations. These countries have investigated and performed extensive
research on the impacts of ingesting asbestos fibres on the body. To that extent, the EU has urged member states to stop permitting asbestos-cement (A-C) pipes and to undertake systematic renovation efforts aimed at removing asbestos from existing drinking water distribution infrastructure. Proactive infrastructure replacement to mitigate potential long-term public health risks associated with asbestos fibre ingestion
is not progressive or innovative, it’s simply catching up. Replacement and Research Recommendations While a nation-building project focused on replacing asbestos-cement (A-C) pipes would require significant upfront investment, the long-term benefits to public health,
infrastructure reliability, and environmental safety would be substantial and should outweigh any costs. Many of these pipes are reaching the end of their life, increasing the likelihood of deterioration, breakage, and the potential release of asbestos fibres into drinking water systems. Replacing aging A-C infrastructure now would reduce these risks while strengthening the resilience and longevity of Canada’s water distribution
networks. Further, establishing laboratory methods and capacity in Canada is essential. This would allow for a full, elaborate study to be performed on the effects of ingested asbestos fibres on human health in addition to a full review of related medical literature.
Conclusion
The old water pipes in Canada must be replaced with safe alternatives. The fact that millions of Canadians are ingesting asbestos via drinking water is unacceptable. Canadians expect their government to deliver public infrastructure which supports, not erodes, their health. Replacing pipes is critical to restoring trust in this government’s ability to deliver for the best interests of citizens. Immediate action must be taken to research and regulate this national emergency. Without significant action, Canadians will continue to face health risks from aging infrastructure that has already been deemed unsafe by countries around the world.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth May, O.C.
Member of Parliament
Saanich—Gulf Islands