While the United Kingdom and United States amongst others have banned the use asbestos, there are some developed nations who still have not taken this full ban. Many developing countries have not banned the substance, due to its relative cheapness, but it can seem surprising that developed nations such as Canada have not imposed a full ban. Mesotheliomaweb.org reports that Canadian government officials have recently approved a loan to two major chrysotile asbestos mines in Quebec in order to support the ailing industry and preserve jobs in the small mining towns. The town is less than an hour north of the US border, where the substance is banned. The Canadian government health agency released a report that stated asbestos does not pose a health hazard if it is undisturbed or "bound in a compound".