Asbestos Basics

Asbestos must be inhaled to cause disease.  The health risk is considered minimal for asbestos containing materials (ACM) in good condition, in an inaccessible location and protected from damage.  Where damage or disturbance cannot be controlled, or where deterioration is due to natural causes, management of the exposure risk can be difficult.  The following are examples whereby ACM may be disturbed and could cause a health risk:

·         Disturbing loose-fill vermiculite insulation which may contain asbestos

·         Removing deteriorating roofing shingles and siding containing asbestos, or tampering with roofing felt that contains asbestos

·         Ripping away old asbestos insulation from around a hot water tank

·         Sanding or scraping vinyl asbestos floor tiles

·         Breaking apart acoustical ceilings tiles containing asbestos

·         Sanding plaster containing asbestos, or sanding or disturbing acoustical plaster that gives ceilings and walls a soft, textured look

·         Sanding or scraping older waterbased asbestos coatings such as roofing compounds, spackling, sealants, paint, putty, caulking or drywall

·         Sawing, drilling or smoothing rough edges of new or old asbestos materials

Asbestos abatement should be carried out by professionals following government regulations and site specific requirements.  Moderate and high risk projects require air monitoring and precautions must be taken to protect workers and others nearby.  If you require further information about asbestos abatement contact Enviromarc at: info@enviromarc.com or (1) 780 533 3033.  www.enviromarc.com

Jo Campbell

Enviromarc
780 933 9113 c
780 533 3033 p
ww.enviromarc.com
jcampbell@enviromarc.com

 

A Bit About the Author:

Jo has worked in the Environmental Industry, both in Europe and North America for over thirteen years, and created Enviromarc to provide a comprehensive range of environmental support services to small, medium and large sized environmental companies.  The business approach adopted by Enviromarc allows project flexibility and some of the lowest field and professional rates in the industry, with absolutely no compromise on quality!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Managing Asbestos

Four Simple Steps to Effectively Managing Asbestos

If you suspect or know of asbestos containing material(s) in a property then carry out the following:

·         Employ an environmental professional to take a sample of the material and determine if it does contain asbestos.  They should be able to tell you the type and percentage of asbestos from the lab results.

Vermiculite Insulation in Attic Space

·         If the material does contain asbestos then have an intrusive asbestos survey carried out to determine the nature and extent of all potential asbestos containing materials within the property.  In older properties it is likely that that there was more than one type of ACM used.  This will involve cutting open small openings in walls/ floors/ ceilings etc. to fully assess all potential ACM.  

·         Once the intrusive survey is complete have the environmental professional pull together a plan for dealing with the ACM.  Some may require to be removed some may not, depending on location and whether or not it is not going to be disturbed. 

·         Be prepared, asbestos abatement can be complex, timely and costly!  It can often take a lot of man hours to complete the removal of asbestos properly and most importantly safely. 

Asbestos abatement should be carried out by professionals following government regulations and site specific requirements.  Moderate and high risk projects require air monitoring and precautions must be taken to protect workers and others nearby.  If you require further information about asbestos abatement contact Enviromarc at: info@enviromarc.com or (1) 780 533 3033. 

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What to Look for in an Environmental Consultant

Hiring an Environmental Professional can be a complex and expensive business. Environmental projects can be costly and there is a very serious need to ensure that when hiring an environmental professional that it is money well spent.

Education
Nearly all Environmental Professionals will have some form of formal post secondary education and it is usually well publicized via business cards, personnel profiles etc. But if not apparent this is the first question that should be asked when vetting possible candidates. Ensure that the environmental professional you are dealing with provides this information before engaging their services.

Training
The training the professional received in school and the field should also be made available. The training will vary depending on whether the individual has specialized within one specific environmental sector or works in a more general type role such as a project manager, covering a range of job types. However, regardless they should have continued professional development that is up to date and relevant.

Alberta Environment outlines some of the more general areas of training

o Water/ waste treatment
o Waste management
o Control of air emissions
o Building sciences
o Environmental chemistry and toxicology
o Soil science/ geology/ hydrogeology
o Aerial photographic interpretation
o Chemical handling and storage

Experience
The length of time the professional has been conducting environmental work and the experience the individual has in performing the particular scope of work required are important to determine the level of competency available and whether it suits the level of complexity of your project. Professionals should have knowledge in the technical areas of the project/ subject site.

A junior level environmental consultant will have approximately between 0 and 2 years experience. An intermediate environmental consultant may have between 2 and 8 years and a senior consultant 8 years+.

Familiarity of the legal framework, current policies, standards and guidelines is also important.

Professional Associations
Competent practitioners are usually members of associations and adhere by their rules, conduct, duties and obligations, which acts as a great benchmark of a practitioner’s capabilities. There a number of Professional Associations and all will be happy to confirm member details. This will ensure that you are working with a company or individual that has reached a certain level of experience within the industry.

Insurance
Environmental professionals should not undertake any activity that they are not qualified for and particularly not insured for. General liability and errors and omissions should be the minimum coverage carried (but not limited to).

Tip:
Ask for sample reports prepared by the company or individual you are considering and if possible where authored by the person who may be project managing any work carried out.

Further Sources:

Web: Choosing an Environmental Consultant: A Guide for Small BusinessesRead more: http://www.greenbiz.com/business/research/tool/2001/02/09/choosing-environmental-consultant-guide-small-businesses#ixzz10I48bdEf

Ehow.com list a clear set of instructions on How to Find and Hire an Environmental Consultant eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4823312_hire-environmental-consultant.html#ixzz10I1za9Mu

Selecting and Working with Environmental Consultants sets out steps on selecting the right professional

Book: Many books are also available that include information on what to look for and how to select an environmental consultant.
Environmental Aspects of Real Estate and Commercial Transactions, From Brownfields to Green Buildings,2004

Jo Campbell
Enviromarc
780 933 9113 c
780 533 3033 p
ww.enviromarc.com
jcampbell@enviromarc.com

A Bit About the Author:
Jo has worked in the Environmental Industry, both in Europe and North America for over ten years, and created Enviromarc to provide a comprehensive range of environmental support services to small, medium and large sized environmental companies. The business approach adopted by Enviromarc allows project flexibility and some of the lowest field and professional rates in the industry, with absolutely no compromise on quality!