A man wears a respirator while cleaning up asbestos in New York City in 2007. The Lancet medical journal has criticized Canada for exporting asbestos to less wealthy countries. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

Criticism of Quebec's controversial asbestos industry is front and centre in a new article published in The Lancet, the prestigious British medical journal.

The article, titled "Canada accused of hypocrisy over asbestos exports," comes amid protests in London, Quebec and Asian cities by groups advocating a ban on asbestos.

While Canada is pulling asbestos out of its buildings, the Lancet article notes, it still exports the product to less wealthy countries.

The story recaps the debate over the substance, which has been linked to cancer, and quotes many anti-asbestos advocates.

A Quebec government spokesman is quoted saying the province is considering a loan guarantee to prop up a mine in Asbestos, Que., on the condition that rules for safe use be followed.

Federal Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis says chrysotile asbestos can be safe under the right conditions but the federal government doesn't fund the industry.

In a statement released after the article's publication, the Canadian and Quebec medical associations echoed the criticism of the federal and provincial governments' position on the product.

Jeff Turnbull, president of the Canadian Medical Association, questioned why the federal government still allowed asbestos to be exported.

"If the government of Canada recognizes that it is essential to regulate the use of asbestos for Canadians, why does it allow the export of this product to countries that lack the resources to protect their own citizens?" he asked in a statement.

Jean-Francois Lajoie, president of the Quebec medical association, asked why the provincial government would consider guaranteeing a $58 million loan to the mine in Asbestos, Que.

"The extraction, processing and use of chrysotile asbestos is harmful to health," he said in a statement, adding that by endorsing the loan guarantee, the province would be endorsing a product the World Health Organization says kills 90,000 annually.