Asbestos-caracterization

Characterization of materials likely to contain asbestos (MLCA)

Enviro-option Inc. offers you the services and expertise of characterization of MLCA in your building. The objective is to determine the presence of asbestos in these materials, in accordance with article 3.23.2 of the code of safety for construction, preventive manner or in the framework of work likely to emit dust. The MLCA are presumed to contain asbestos, subject to a demonstration of the contrary.

Since June 6th, 2013, new provisions are laid down in the Safety Code for the construction work (CSEC) and on the Regulation on the health and safety of labor (STANET) regarding the safe management of asbestos. These new regulations provide new responsibilities for the employer and the owner.

Among these new responsibilities:

• The localization of sprayed for buildings constructed before February 15th 1990;
• The localization of heat insulation for buildings constructed before May 20th 1999;
• The verification of the presence of asbestos in the materials and products that may contain, before that are carried out of the work that could emit dusts of this substance;
• The obligation to provide corrective actions to the sprayed, the heat insulating and to the interior finishes likely to contain asbestos in loss of integrity;
• The registration and disclosure of information.

Sampling and analysis of materials likely to contain asbestos 

Step 1: Visual Inspection.

On site we realize an inspection in order to locate all MLCA (plaster, thermal insulation, flocking, etc.) Then we determine the areas with similarities of books (ZPSO) to develop a sampling strategy representative, in accordance with the "Guide to Safe asbestos" drafted by the CSST.

A ZPSO is defined by:

• The components of the building (or of the book of civil engineering);
• The material that is likely to contain asbestos (or containing) which in fact part;
• The method or process of installation or construction.

A ZPSO contains a material which:

• Is uniform in texture and appearance;
• Has been installed in a single time;
• Does not appear to be of more than one type or having more of a composition.

Step 2: Sampling of materials likely to contain asbestos.

We are making bulk samples. To do this we perform holes of 2.5 inches of side in the entire depth of the material. There are at least 3 samples for a same MLCA locates in a same ZPSO. Asbestos is being presented in a random manner in the materials, it is necessary to perform more of levies for a large ZPSO in order to ensure a representative characterization of the whole surface area, in accordance with the "Guide to Safe asbestos" drafted by the CSST.

Step 3: Analysis of materials likely to contain asbestos.

For quantification and characterization of fibers in the samples we are following the method 244-3 established by the IRSST by polarized light microscopy. We are one of the first laboratory that has been recognized by the IRSST and the AIHA in the framework of the inter-laboratory quality control program.This semi-quantitative method allows to identify the asbestos fibers contained in the materials and to estimate the concentration by optical polarized light microscopy. The analysis results are expressed as follows: "not detected" or "detected", with an estimate of the asbestos fibers concentration, in percentage ( % ). If an asbestos fibers are detected in a sample, the whole of the material from which the sample was sampled must be considered as containing as many asbestos fibers. The other samples are then not analyzes.

Step 4: Report of sampling analyses of asbestos.

Our report is consistent with the requirements of article 69.7 of RROHS. It also contains:

• A summary table;
• An Autocad plan which locates the samples;
• Photos of sampling points;
• Identification of materials collected;
• Our recommendations;
• The certificates of analysis.

We also realize the checks and analyses of ambient air in order to determine the presence of fiber of asbestos according to the method 243.1 of the IRSST.

For more information,  contact us.