Asbestos, because of its superior insulating properties, has been widely used in hundreds (maybe thousands) of products, including: pipes, floor tiles, brake pads, and countless types of insulation. The properties of asbestos (heat and fire resistance) have been called life saving. However, it’s now common knowledge that breathing in asbestos fibers may cause serious illnesses (i.e., lung cancer, mesothelioma) that could be fatal. Surprisingly, until recently, Canada’s definition of what constitutes a “potentially harmful asbestos” was vague and open to interpretation.
There are many different types of asbestos. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “The main forms of asbestos are chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite (blue asbestos). Other forms are amosite, anthophylite, tremolite, and actinolite.” Further, WHO states, “…exposure to chrysotile, amosite and anthophyllite asbestos and to mixtures containing crocidolite results in an increased risk of lung cancer…”
Previous studies and reports have suggested that exposure to chrysotile asbestos alone may not be harmful. This report from 2007 from the American Council on Science and Health reports, “…chrysotile alone, uncontaminated by other fiber types, particularly amphiboles, does not appear to be a risk factor for mesothelioma, as once thought.”
Until recently, the Canadian government also distinguished between chrysotile and other forms of asbestos. This has now changed. As reported on several news outlets, including CTV, “The changes come more than two years after the federal government announced it would no longer oppose international efforts to list chrysotile as a hazardous material.”
Another notable change on Health Canada’s website relating to asbestos is the removal of the term “significant quantities.”
October 2012: “When inhaled in significant quantities, asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis.”
June 2015: “Asbestos, if inhaled, can cause cancer and other diseases.”
Why the revisions? According to a report in the Globe and Mail, “The revisions come after The Globe and Mail has reported that asbestos is the single largest cause of workplace death in Canada, accounting for almost 5,000 death claims since 1996.”
Environmental Health and Safety (EH & S) professionals are well aware of the potential hazards associated with asbestos, as well as the management and reporting requirements.
Regardless of the impetus for the change, EH & S managers need to be aware that asbestos is, once again, on the government’s radar.
Currently, if you have asbestos in the friable form, you may have reporting requirements under the National Pollutant Release Inventory. These NRPI inventories are due June 1st each year. However, if you are unsure if there are materials containing asbestos at your facility, it would be prudent to have a professional assess the building materials and collect samples for asbestos analysis.
Could these changes lead to even more strict reporting requirements? Will it further impact those working on products that may contain asbestos (e.g., mechanics changing brake pads)? This remains to be seen.
If you have not already done so, we recommend that you review and understand your current handling and reporting obligations as it relates to asbestos.
Should you have questions or concerns about any environmental compliance issues, please feel free to contact me (atymec@dragun.com) at 519-979-7300, ext 118.