Learn About Hazardous Materials

At one time asbestos was seen as a wonder product. It’s insulation and fire protection properties led to hundreds of applications in everything from vinyl flooring to “popcorn” ceilings to drywall mud.

So, too, with lead which was a key component of piping and paints for decades.

Read more below about the many hazardous materials commonly used in construction and which now must be safely and carefully managed.

Read our summaries about:

• Asbestos
• Lead
• Mould
• Histoplasmosis
• PCBs

Important Links

Learn more about hazardous materials, safety, and the environment in the following links to Canadian and British Columbia-based organizations. Be sure to take a look at our News section for the latest information about the Hazardous Materials Abatement industry.

Environment

• British Columbia Ministry of Environment: A useful resource with endless information about British Columbia’s environment.
• Hazardous Waste Regulations: British Columbia laws about hazardous waste.
• Recycling Council of British Columbia: Canada’s longest-serving recycling council.

Safety and Awareness

• Hidden Killer: A WorkSafe BC website dedicated to educating the public on Asbestos.
• Transport Canada – Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act: Important information about the transportation of dangerous goods in Canada.
• WorkSafeBC: A useful resources to review the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and a wide variety of health and safety information.
• WorkSafeBC – “Safe Work Practices for Handling Asbestos”: A publication explaining how to handle asbestos in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.
• Histoplasmosis: Valuable information about Histoplasmosis from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.

Health and Advocacy

• It’s Your Health: A Health Canada publication detailing the sources and dangers of asbestos.
• Canadian Mesothelioma Foundation: A non-profit raising awareness and understanding about mesothelioma in Canada.
• Carex Canada: CAREX (CARcinogen EXposure) is a multi-institution research project that combines academic expertise and government resources to generate an evidence-based carcinogen surveillance program for Canada