10 April 2006
the asbestos file
photos of demolition showing floors containing asbestos materials
taken on morning when high north winds eventually put an end to that day's work approximately noon
Asbestos was a popular material used widely in construction and many other industries. If asbestos fibres are enclosed or tightly bound in a product, for example in asbestos siding or asbestos floor tiles, there are no significant health risks.
the risk according to Health Canada?
- Asbestos poses health risks only when fibres are in the air that people breathe. Asbestos fibres lodge in the lungs, causing scarring that can ultimately lead to severely impaired lung function (asbestosis) and cancers of the lungs or lung cavity. However, frequent or prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres may still bring health risks. This can happen with the release of fibres into the air when asbestos-containing products break down, either through deterioration as they age or when they are cut. People can put themselves at risk —— often without realizing it —— if they do not take proper precautions when repairs or renovations disturb asbestos -containing materials. ====> does this include building alterations such as demolition? = a rhetorical question as it must be obvious the answer has to be "ys"
- One of the main problems with asbestos came from sprayed or "friable" (easily broken up) amphibole asbestos used in buildings until the 1970s. People working in construction, maintenance or in the renovation of older buildings should be particularly careful when handling this asbestos.
- During renovations and repairs to older buildings, construction workers, tradespeople and other building maintenance workers may be exposed to very high concentrations of asbestos fibres. Construction and maintenance workers should avoid creating asbestos dust from scraping, brushing, rubbing or cutting damaged insulation. Insulation damage should be reported to the appropriate authority, such as the Occupational Health and Safety Manager. If you work in this area, determine whether asbestos is present before beginning work and take appropriate precautionary measures. Public and commercial building owners should keep an inventory of asbestos-containing materials to inform users, authorities and contractors.
- Health Canada has encouraged provincial occupational health authorities to adopt stringent workplace exposure limits for asbestos. The sale of pure asbestos and certain high risk consumer products that are composed of or contain asbestos fibres is strictly regulated under the Hazardous Products Act. In addition, the emissions of asbestos into the environment from mining and milling operations are subject to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
- Federal references here:
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/inaiqu_001.cfm
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/environ/asbestos-amiante_e.html - Provincial legislation and workplace requirements here:
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Regs/English/900837_e.htmOccupational Health and Safety Act R.R.O. 1990, REGULATION 837 Amended to O. Reg. 279/05 DESIGNATED SUBSTANCE —— ASBESTOS
ontario regulation 278/05 made under the occupational health and safety act Made: June 8, 2005Filed: June 10, 2005Printed in The Ontario Gazette: June 25, 2005 - Full list of toxic substances here:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/contaminants/risk-risque/toxsub/psl1_substances-toxic_lsip1_e.html - Previous post re infringements of legislation that addressed this issue? use search function top left corner this blog to locate this post: "Forsyth demolition environmental concerns"
- Rambling Rose reiterates the all-too-obvious irony here: justification of this hasty demolition was the risk to public safety and then proceeded to risk worker and public safety???? unbelievable!!!!
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