Asbestos is a natural mineral fiber, and a popular building material in Canada from 1950 to 1990; due to its fire-retardant and insulating properties, tensile strength and chemical resistance; asbestos containing materials, are in many homes from the 1950’s to 1990’s or any home or building renovated or updated during those years.
YES ASBESTOS IS DANGEROUS
If you are working on a building from the 50’s to 90’s its important to your health and others in the area that you determine if asbestos is present
The dangers of asbestos are well known, the greatest danger is of inhalation.
Asbestos fibers are very fine and can be inhaled deep in to the lungs where they cause a multitude of health problems and disease which may not develop, or present for years.
Asbestosis, Pleural thickening, and Asbestos-related lung cancer like Mesothelioma are just some of the more common threats.
Asbestos is present in homes, commercial and industrial buildings and products from the 1950’s – 1990’s Linoleum, Floor tiles, Drywall mud, textured coatings such as Popcorn ceilings, Sprayed fireproofing, Mechanical insulation, Asbestos cement board, asbestos ceiling tiles, Vermiculite, cement pipes, Roofing membrane, Roofing mastics, Cement board shingles, Boiler insulation, Fireplace insulation, asbestos wiring, caulking.
Asbestos disposal in British Columbia is regulated by WorkSafeBC.
Any material containing more than 0.5% asbestos by content, is defined as hazardous materials and must be disposed of by professional, certified asbestos disposal company.
Asbestos containing waste exceeding 1,000 kg requires a BC Hazardous Waste Generator (BCG) number from the Ministry of Environment.
Once completed email it to: info@asbestoswastedisposal.ca
Feel free to contact our asbestos disposal experts if you have any questions.
Drywall should be considered contaminated if it comes from a structure that was constructed or renovated between 1950 & 1990.
Contact ACM Asbestos Disposal to purchase Asbestos bags.
Call our office, we will mail out the proper asbestos bags by Canada post expedited delivery, you should have them in a couple of days. 604-510-5777.
Lead exposure is bad for your health. Lead poisoning can cause nervous system issues, brain impairment as well as anemia. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead and lead dust; which is known to cause behavioural problems, and learning disabilities even at low level exposures.
Any home or commercial structure built or renovated prior to 1980 should be assumed to have lead based paint. Paint from the 40’s can contain as much as 50% lead.
Lead paint was more commonly used in exterior paint, from the 50’s to 80’s; although there are still some lead based paints on the market today
Water pipes and plumbing has contained lead, since Roman times. Lead is also used in plumbing fixtures, fittings, lead solder / flux. brass, bronze and other alloys also contain varying levels of lead.
Lead testing kits are available from many online and local retailers.
We recommend sampling:
Ceilings, walls, sidings, window sills, doors, decks, porches, fences, stairs, railings, built in furniture, outdoor furniture and any surface that may have been painted prior to 1980
Blood Testing for Lead
The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends children aged 1 & 2 be screened for lead poisoning if they have lived in a house built prior to 1978.
Lead disposal is regulated by the BC Minister of Environment, and must be disposed of by a certified, approved lead disposal company.
Contact ACM Asbestos Waste Disposal for lead waste disposal, in Vancouver, GVRD and BC Lower Mainland.
Including submission of a completed HWR Schedule 5 – Form 1
To obtain/update a BC Generator (BCG) number for the site where the hazardous waste is generated, where total hazardous waste quantity exceeds the registration threshold (HWR, Schedule 6), proper storage of any hazardous waste generated, use of a transporter licensed for the appropriate hazardous waste(s) for any off-site shipment of the waste(s), GUIDELINE TO MANAGING LEAD- CONTAINING CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE IN BC Use of a manifest where quantities shipped exceed the manifesting threshold (HWR s.46), and shipment to an authorized hazardous waste management facility.
Contact ACM Asbestos Waste Disposal for lead waste disposal, in Vancouver, GVRD and BC Lower Mainland
Here are several questions you should ask before you contract an abatement contractor
- Are you insured to remove asbestos general liability with Pollution – minimum $ 2,000,000 ?
- Are you in good standing with WorksafeBC and can provide a clearance letter ?
- Experience with similar projects ? references?