Asbestos – Questions & Answers

What is Asbestos?
Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring fibrous hydrated silicates. Asbestos has been widely used in industries including the manufacture of building materials. Most buildings erected in Canada before 1985 contain asbestos in one or more forms.

Why is it an issue?
Asbestos fibres, if inhaled, can cause serious lung diseases, including asbestosis (fibrosis or “scarring” of lung tissue), lung cancer and mesothelioma (a malignant tumour). The disease symptoms generally appear more than 15 years after prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibres. Therefore, it is important to identify those asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), their potential to release fibres (friability) and remove or cover friable asbestos when necessary. This will ensure that small fibres capable of being inhaled are not released into the air during normal use of the building and are controlled when ACMs are disturbed during construction and/or renovations.

What regulations govern the management of asbestos in schools during normal occupancy and renovations?
Ont. Reg. 278/05, under the Occupational Health & Safety Act:

• requires building owners to carry out periodic surveys of ACMs;
• requires they have an Asbestos Management Program (AMP) in place;
• provides strict procedural requirements to protect workers and building occupants by containing the spread of dust and asbestos fibres whenever ACMs are disturbed because of renovation, construction and/or maintenance activities.

Where can I find the Asbestos Management Program (AMP)?
Bronte College’s AMP can be found at the business office.

Is there asbestos in Bronte College? How is Asbestos managed by Bronte College?
Yes. Asbestos is present within Bronte College. Many, if not most buildings in Toronto (including private residences), have some form of asbestos-containing building materials.

A survey conducted at Bronte College in 2019 showed asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were in good condition. It also included an assessment of the condition of ACMs to determine the likelihood of asbestos fibres to become displaced and pose an inhalation hazard (friable and/or in poor condition).

Bronte College has an Asbestos Management Program (AMP) in place, required by a provincial regulation that governs how Bronte College manages ACMs. The purpose of the AMP is to establish procedures to prevent disturbance of ACMs and outline the procedures that must be followed if ACMs are damaged and/or are likely to be disturbed.  In addition, it requires to periodically review and assess the condition of ACMs in the building. Bronte College rigorously adheres to the AMP.

Is Bronte College in compliance with those regulations?
Yes. Bronte College is in full compliance with Ontario Regulation 278/05 that covers the management of asbestos in buildings.

Other resources:
Occupational Health & Safety Act
Reg. 278/05: Designated substance