City of Portland New Demo Rules Target Asbestos Dust Contamination

This month, the city of Portland, Oregon, approved a new series of regulations about home demolitions that were designed to help control and minimize exposure to asbestos and lead dust.

The city took a leading role in promoting safer conditions in demolition situations. These include a number of specifications.

• Contractors are now required to take down portions of a building by hand, if the use of heavy equipment might lead to the release of asbestos or lead dust.
• Sites must be misted with water to prevent the spread of asbestos or lead dust.

The city’s new regulations put it at the forefront of North American communities concerned with protecting citizens from the harmful effects of exposure to lead or asbestos dust.

Ontario Regulations
The law in Ontario that governs demolitions and hazardous substances is the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and regulations. It contains regulations for any demolition, renovations, or repairs to a building.

When it comes to demolitions, the law sets out the following:

• Prior to the work commencing, the owner of the building must have the building examined for the presence of asbestos, whether it is likely to be disturbed by the renovation or demolition.
• Demolitions can be done only after any asbestos or asbestos containing material (ACM) which may be disturbed has been removed from the site.
• If demolition begins and the ACM is only found after, then the process halts until the ACM is removed.

It’s a little more complicated than that, but those are the basic rules. The City of Toronto does not require the same kind of regulations as Portland, currently.

You Can Count On GS
Here at GreenStream, we applaud the city of Portland for their diligence. The risk from the spread of asbestos dust from worksites – whether they are demolition or renovation projects, or asbestos removal jobs – is very real. Unfortunately, there have been many cases worldwide that prove the risk from asbestos dust can spread well beyond its initial source. We take every necessary precaution to ensure that any hazardous asbestos dust or other materials are contained within our worksites, and then disposed of safetly.

If you have asbestos or asbestos containing materials in your home, we can help. Our experienced and certified asbestos removal and asbestos remediation technicians can help keep you and your family safe. In the Toronto area call Environmental at (416) 818-9414. Contact us for a quote today.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414. You’ll be glad you did.