CAUT announced the launch in November of a national campaign to highlight the hidden dangers students and staff face from exposure to asbestos at institution across the country.

"Asbestos is an extremely hazardous substance that has been completely banned in 31 countries, partially banned in Canada, and is a designated substance under health and safety legislation in all Canadian jurisdictions," said James Turk, executive director of CAUT. "Unfortunately, it is widely present in university and college buildings built before the mid-1970s."

Asbestos was used as a cheap and effective means of fire and sound proofing, and for thermal insulation, as well as in ceiling and floor tiles.

"The situation with asbestos on our campuses is potentially serious because asbestos breaks down over time and can become airborne as a result of construction and renovations," Turk said. "The indestructible fibres impregnate themselves in lung and stomach tissue through inhalation and ingestion and are not removed through normal body functions. The continued presence of the fibres can lead to a number of fatal diseases."

CAUT launched the national asbestos awareness campaign following news that two professors at the University of Manitoba died of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer of the lining of the lungs caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos.

"The purpose of the campaign is to make everyone in our community aware of the dangers and to ensure colleges and universities fulfill their legal obligations to assess the risk and develop a plan to remove asbestos products," Turk said.

CAUT is providing each member association with an extensive kit of materials to assist in dealing with the issue on their campus. CAUT is also providing member associations with expert advice and training for joint health and safety committee members, executive committees and the general membership.

At the national level, CAUT is coordinating its work with the health and safety units of national unions that also represent staff at colleges and universities. CAUT is asking the federal government, which had actively promoted the use and export of asbestos for many years, to establish a special fund to assist universities and colleges with the substantial costs in removing this hazardous material.