Asbestos Removal
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that is strong, flexible, and heat-resistant. These properties have made it an ideal product for the manufacturing of building materials, friction products, heat-resistant fabrics, packaging and coatings.
When asbestos fibres are dormant and contained within other materials, they pose little danger. However, there are conditions in which they pose a potential threat to human health.
The health hazards associated with asbestos arise when the products containing asbestos are disturbed, causing the fibres to become airborne. Long-term exposure to asbestos can cause diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and other types of cancers.
Due to the effects of asbestos on the human respiratory tract, asbestos is a designated substance in Ontario. The use, quantities and processes involving asbestos are regulated to reduce and control worker exposure. Regulations 837 and O. Reg. 278/05 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) govern such factors as:
• Types and quantities of air sampling
• Control program requirements
• Types of respirators and personal protective equipment to be used
• Training requirements
• Measures for each of the three types of asbestos operations
In building Inspectors Manual, chrysotile accounts for approximately 95% of asbestos found in buildings in the United States and Canada. Chrysotile is often present in a wide variety of products and materials, including:
- drywall and joint compound
- plaster
- mud and texture coats
- vinyl floor tiles, sheeting, adhesives
- roofing tars, felts, siding, and shingles[28]
- "transite" panels, siding, countertops, and pipes
- popcorn ceilings, also known as acoustic ceilings
- fireproofing
- caulk
- gaskets
- packing, a system for sealing a rotating shaft
- brake pads and shoes
- clutch plates
- stage curtains
- fire blankets
- interior fire doors
- fireproof clothing for firefighters
- thermal pipe insulation
- filters for removing fine particulates from chemicals, liquids, and wine
- dental cast linings
- HVAC flexible duct connectors
- drilling fluid additives
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that is strong, flexible, and heat-resistant. These properties have made it an ideal product for the manufacturing of building materials, friction products, heat-resistant fabrics, packaging and coatings.
When asbestos fibres are dormant and contained within other materials, they pose little danger. However, there are conditions in which they pose a potential threat to human health.
The health hazards associated with asbestos arise when the products containing asbestos are disturbed, causing the fibres to become airborne. Long-term exposure to asbestos can cause diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and other types of cancers.
Due to the effects of asbestos on the human respiratory tract, asbestos is a designated substance in Ontario. The use, quantities and processes involving asbestos are regulated to reduce and control worker exposure. Regulations 837 and O. Reg. 278/05 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) govern such factors as:
• Types and quantities of air sampling
• Control program requirements
• Types of respirators and personal protective equipment to be used
• Training requirements
• Measures for each of the three types of asbestos operations
Processes involving asbestos are categorized into three separate operations.
• Type 1 operations involve the disruption of asbestos-containing materials in small quantities using non-powered hand tools with use of a wetting agent to reduce the creation of airborne particles (O. Reg 278 s. 12(2)).
• Type 2 operations involve the disruption of asbestos-containing materials and insulations in slightly larger quantities with use of powered hand tools equipped with HEPA filters and without the use of wetting agents (O. Reg 278 s. 12(3)).
• Type 3 operations include the disruption of asbestos-containing materials and insulations in larger quantities than Type 2 operations with use of power tools that are not attached to dust-collecting HEPA filters and without the use of wetting agents.
For more details on Type 3 operations, refer to the O. Reg 278
• Type 1 operations involve the disruption of asbestos-containing materials in small quantities using non-powered hand tools with use of a wetting agent to reduce the creation of airborne particles (O. Reg 278 s. 12(2)).
• Type 2 operations involve the disruption of asbestos-containing materials and insulations in slightly larger quantities with use of powered hand tools equipped with HEPA filters and without the use of wetting agents (O. Reg 278 s. 12(3)).
• Type 3 operations include the disruption of asbestos-containing materials and insulations in larger quantities than Type 2 operations with use of power tools that are not attached to dust-collecting HEPA filters and without the use of wetting agents.
For more details on Type 3 operations, refer to the O. Reg 278
In building Inspectors Manual, chrysotile accounts for approximately 95% of asbestos found in buildings in the United States and Canada. Chrysotile is often present in a wide variety of products and materials, including:
- drywall and joint compound
- plaster
- mud and texture coats
- vinyl floor tiles, sheeting, adhesives
- roofing tars, felts, siding, and shingles[28]
- "transite" panels, siding, countertops, and pipes
- popcorn ceilings, also known as acoustic ceilings
- fireproofing
- caulk
- gaskets
- packing, a system for sealing a rotating shaft
- brake pads and shoes
- clutch plates
- stage curtains
- fire blankets
- interior fire doors
- fireproof clothing for firefighters
- thermal pipe insulation
- filters for removing fine particulates from chemicals, liquids, and wine
- dental cast linings
- HVAC flexible duct connectors
- drilling fluid additives
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