Once the world's top producer of asbestos, Canada said today it will ban the heat-resistant fibrous mineral, that is woven into building and other materials. <br/><br/>In a statement, government ministers of health, science and the environment said the comprehensive ban will prohibit the manufacture, use, import and export of asbestos, starting in 2018. <br/><br/>This comes after Ottawa in 2012 lifted its longtime opposition to listing asbestos as a hazardous material under the UN Rotterdam Convention.<br/>