The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is introducing new landfill procedures for accepting gypsum board effective June 1 due to asbestos exposure hazards regulated by WorkSafe BC.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, which is found in long, thin fibrous crystals. It has great heat resistance, insulating properties, tensile strength, flexibility and chemical resistance, and its use can be traced back more than 4,500 years.
"We are all exposed to some level of asbestos," said Beth Brooks, SCRD environmental technician. "All we can do is minimize exposure to as low as possible."
The problem with asbestos as it pertains to human health, is that exposure to its fibres is linked to asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer, all of which usually show up many years after exposure has occurred, and all of which are deadly.
"Before someone begins a renovation or demolition project, they should contact a qualified professional to sample the joint compound or mudding and have it tested for asbestos," said Brooks.
If lab results show no asbestos, the public can take the gypsum board to SCRD landfill sites with lab results and a completed form provided by the SCRD. Without lab results the gypsum board will not be accepted.
If the gypsum tests positive for asbestos content (0.5 per cent or greater), the public should contact a certified Asbestos Abatement and Disposal company regarding its safe removal and disposal. SCRD landfill sites will not accept this material.
According to Brooks, homeowners, demolition contractors, carpenters and other contractors should be educated about asbestos containing materials and should be looking for asbestos when working on buildings built prior to 1990.
The SCRD will be sending a resolution to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities for debate at the convention in the fall.
According to board chair Garry Nohr, this resolution, will urge the Ministry of Environment to establish options to assist local governments to dispose of asbestos contaminated gypsum and/or include this as a product category in the BC Recycling Regulation to require a stewardship plan for this material as soon as possible.
For more information, go to www.scrd.ca/Recycling--Garbage.
-Submitted
