# What you need to know about asbestos and its regulation.

- Link: https://buildingexpert.ca/blog/2020/10/23/what-you-need-to-know-about-asbestos-and-its-regulations/
- Published: 2020-10-23T13:26:41-04:00
- Author: Christian Lebeau-Jacob, Microbiologiste

**In recent years, Canada has finally followed the lead of most industrialized 
countries and banned the import and production of asbestos-containing materials,
decades after they were identified as the cause of many lung diseases. Although 
its use is now restricted or even banned, what about the remaining asbestos and 
its safety standards?**

First of all, asbestos refers to a group of commercially used minerals that have
the particularity of being highly fibrous. These minerals were mainly used for their
unique profile offering high malleability, strong resistance to heat, acids and 
moisture.

 **Where is asbestos found and why is it harmful?**

The different types of asbestos are likely to be found in just about any material
resulting from the mixing of several components. Insulation, flockings, cements 
and plasters as well as vinyl siding are some examples. It is also important to 
know that asbestos is sometimes found in certain products as a contaminant and not
because it has been added to benefit from its properties. Materials such as talc
or mica (vermiculite) may contain asbestos without being knowingly added.

The combination of properties that make asbestos a unique material is also the basis
of its harmfulness. Initially, asbestos can break down into fine fibrils that can
remain airborne for a long time and can easily travel far into the respiratory system.
Once in the alveoli, which are responsible for gas exchange (O2 and CO2), the fibers
persist despite the incessant attacks of the immune system thanks to their great
resistance. Physical damage, inflammation, and the accumulation of degradation enzymes
will, over time, cause significant damage that limits the efficiency of gas exchange
in the lungs and may encourage the development of certain cancers.

 **Stricter safety standards for asbestos removal workers**

Although Québec regulations are stricter than elsewhere in some respects, particularly
in the definition of what constitutes an asbestos-containing material, the exposure
limits to asbestos fibres are very high here.

Asbestos-producing countries, of which Canada was a member only a decade ago, are
generally more lax in their regulations and have historically defended the low toxicity
of asbestos at low doses. Now that Canada has aligned its position with that of 
the WHO and most of the European community, it goes without saying that we modify
the exposure thresholds accordingly. Des normes de sécurité plus strictes pour les
travailleurs chargés du désamiantage

Greater vigilance by authorities in enforcing existing rules should also be part
of a tightening plan. Examples of hazardous practices are legion, despite the presence
of a regulatory framework and the CNESST’s _Tolerance 0_ plan!

 **Does the presence of asbestos fibers automatically justify asbestos removal work
in a building?**

No, not necessarily. A building containing asbestos, but which is in good condition
and does not represent a high risk of degradation in the short or medium term, does
not require replacement work. Does the presence of asbestos fibers automatically
justify asbestos removal work in a building?

La présence de fibres d’amiante justifie-t-elle automatiquement des travaux de désamiantage
dans un bâtiment ?

Please note that when replacing insulation or sealing materials, owners can benefit
from grants for building improvements through energy efficiency programs such as
[Rénoclimat](https://buildingexpert.ca/en/energy/renoclimat/). However, there are
no specific programs for asbestos removal.

The presence of asbestos remains a major concern during renovation work and that
is why it is important to know its type and quantity. If you suspect the presence
of asbestos, you can call upon a competent laboratory in the identification of the
type of asbestos participating in an inter-laboratory testing program and being 
recognized by the Centre d’Expertise en Analyse Environnementale du Québec (CEAEQ),
as is the case for our laboratory, [LAB’EAU-AIR-SOL](https://labeauairsol.ca).

 **Usefull links**

 * LAB’EAU-AIR-SOL’s [Safe Asbestos Management Training](https://labeauairsol.ca/formations/formation-sur-lamiante/)