Asbestos reported in South Hull Elementary School

There’s asbestos in South Hull Elementary School. A characterization report, covering materials likely to contain asbestos and obtained by the Bulletin through access-to-information legislation, made this evident.

The report by the engineering firm, WSP, is part of a Western Quebec School Board (WQSB) project to identify any asbestos in its buildings.

According to new health and safety regulations adopted in 2013, the WQSB, like any other public entity, must locate flocking containing asbestos in structures built before February 15, 1990, and locate insulating material containing asbestos in those built before May 20, 1999.

“We’ve identified a number of sites that have asbestos, and we have implemented an asbestos removal and containment plan for all our schools,” said James Shea, WQSB Chairman.

“I’m satisfied with the plan. We have gone through a process of identification, of informing communities, and we’ve had community meetings in locations such as Shawville. I’m comfortable that we are meeting all of the expectations above and beyond what the standards are.”

Popular in the construction industry in the 1960s, the silky white fibre used as insulation is now recognized as a harmful material. Medical and scientific authorities agree asbestos exposure increases the risk of lung cancer and other health problems associated with the lungs. Asbestos is primarily dangerous when it is friable and releases fibres or dust into the air. Asbestos fibres and dust can cause health problems when breathed in. Therefore, asbestos must be enclosed or tightly bound in a product, which is why it’s important the product is in pristine condition to avoid having dust particles released.

According to Health Canada, “if asbestos fibres are enclosed or tightly bound in a product, for example in asbestos siding or asbestos floor tiles, there are no significant health risks. Asbestos poses health risks only when fibres are present in the air that people breathe.” One of the main problems with asbestos is from sprayed or "friable" (easily broken up) amphibole asbestos used in buildings until the 1970s.

In the case of South Hull Elementary School, home to 438 students, there’s one wall containing asbestos which is moderately damaged. On a scale of 1 to 4; 1 being intact and 4 very damaged, the rough-coat plaster wall is a 3. The type of asbestos identified was 1% chrysotile or white asbestos.

According the report, all the materials containing asbestos were located on the South Hull’s ground floor. In the five other sites where asbestos was found, structures, such as the floor, pipes and the ceiling, were relatively undamaged. However, the type of asbestos detected was more dangerous than the asbestos located in the wall. For example, the type of asbestos found in the curved pipes was 85% chrysotile asbestos, meaning the concentration of chrysotile is quite high.

The report recommends that the WQSB carry out inspections every two years and to make repairs to structures without delay, if required.