Asbestos abatement
Renovating?
Building built before 1990? Building materials used before 1990 may contain asbestos in unknown locations that require identification. While not presenting serious health risks if left undisturbed, these ACMs (asbestos-containing materials) can easily be agitated by homeowners and/or contractors who in doing so risk exposing themselves and others. Professional asbestos abatement is an important step if renovating when asbestos is present.
Quick Facts
- ACM (asbestos containing material) is generally not considered to be harmful unless it is releasing dust or fibers into the air where the fibers can be inhaled.
- Asbestos is hazardous when it is friable and is disturbed in such a way that it releases fibers. The term “friable” means that the asbestos is easily crumbled by hand pressure, releasing fibers into the air.
- Because asbestos fibers are so small, once disturbed they can remain airborne for several days.
- Asbestos fibres are virtually indestructible, are resistant to chemicals and heat, do not evaporate into air, or dissolve into liquid, and do not break down over time.
- Because it is so hard to destroy asbestos fibers, the body cannot break them down or remove them once they are lodged in lung or body tissues.
- Many of the airborne fibers can become trapped in the mucous membrane of the nose and throat where they can be expelled, but some may pass deep into the lungs.
- Once they are trapped in the lungs, they can cause a number of serious health problems including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Safety is Our Top Priority!
All IHS employees are fully trained and certified to ensure that respiratory protection, decontamination facilities and removal techniques are appropriately utilized and maintained to alleviate risks to workers and customers alike.
At Industrial Hazmat Services we are committed to being in compliance with all regulations and guidelines set forth by WorkSafeBC. Follow the link to WorkSafeBC's website to learn more about asbestos exposure, risks, and protecting yourself from exposure.
asbestos worker at work
Lead
What is Lead?
How are people exposed?
How are people exposed?
Lead is a soft and malleable metal, which is regarded as a heavy metal. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed to air.
Lead is used in building products including paints, plumbing fixtures, roof flashings , plumbing and electrical solders.
Lead becomes a h
Lead is a soft and malleable metal, which is regarded as a heavy metal. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed to air.
Lead is used in building products including paints, plumbing fixtures, roof flashings , plumbing and electrical solders.
Lead becomes a hazard when these products are disturbed and airborne dust is created.
Lead interferes with many body processes and is poisonous to most organs and tissues, including the bones, intestines, kidneys, nervous system, and reproductive organs. Acute lead poisoning (high exposure over a short period of time) can cause fatigue, anemia, constipation, and damage to the nervous system. Chronic lead poisoning (exposure over a longer time period) can cause fatigue, joint pain, and weakness. Lead poisoning can damage the fetus in pregnant female workers, and impair fertility in male workers. Lead is a suspected human carcinogen and has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
How are people exposed?
How are people exposed?
How are people exposed?
People are exposed to lead when they inhale lead-containing dust or ingest lead residue from their hands (for example, when eating, chewing gum, or smoking). Activities with potential exposure to lead include, but are not limited to, demolition/renovation of structures/buildings where lead-based paints or coatings were used, lead abatem
People are exposed to lead when they inhale lead-containing dust or ingest lead residue from their hands (for example, when eating, chewing gum, or smoking). Activities with potential exposure to lead include, but are not limited to, demolition/renovation of structures/buildings where lead-based paints or coatings were used, lead abatement, welding and/or brazing products where lead is in the metal, on the metal or in the solder or braze, and scrap metal salvage and recycling. Surfaces, objects, footwear, skin, hair and clothes may become lead-contaminated.
IHS handles both small and large projects including residential properties, commercial buildings, government facilities, and schools.
Our staff can provide a full scope of services to support any lead abatement and removal project including abatement, containment, encapsulation, removal, and disposal.
We ensure all disposal is handled according to Environment Canada and Transportation of Dangerous Goods legislation.
Safe Options
How are people exposed?
Safe Options
Encapsulation. Typically the least complicated and most affordable method, encapsulation involves brushing or rolling on a specially made paint-like coating that creates a watertight bond and seals in the lead-based paint.
Enclosure. With this method, the old surface is covered with a new one, such as putting up new drywall or covering
Encapsulation. Typically the least complicated and most affordable method, encapsulation involves brushing or rolling on a specially made paint-like coating that creates a watertight bond and seals in the lead-based paint.
Enclosure. With this method, the old surface is covered with a new one, such as putting up new drywall or covering windowsills with aluminum or vinyl cladding. If the enclosed surface is ever removed, you’ll have to deal with the exposed lead-containing surfaces underneath.
Removal. A variety of approaches are used to remove lead-based paints, such as wire brushing or wet hand scraping with liquid paint removers. Wet sanding surfaces, and use of an electric sander equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtered vacuum.
Replacement. This more radical strategy calls for complete removal of the offending surface.
The Do-Nothing Option
If lead-based paint is in good condition--no chipping or other damage--and no children under the age of 6 live there or visit regularly, you may safely opt to leave the paint untouched.
No matter the choice, using a professional for lead abatement is always your best choice.