Temporary closure of the centre sportif by Gatineau extended due to the presence of asbestos

Gatineau, February 3, 2017. – Ville de Gatineau is extending the temporary closure of the centre sportif until further notice, at the very least until 4 p.m. on Monday, February 6, due to the results of the analyses done yesterday that confirmed the presence of dust containing a certain amount of asbestos in a room located in the building's basement.

●	Experts are currently taking samples throughout the centre sportif to determine whether there is any dust containing a certain amount of asbestos anywhere else besides the room that has been closed off.

●	The health and safety of employees and users of the centre sportif are priorities for Ville de Gatineau.

●	Permanent employees of the centre sportif have all been relocated to other municipal buildings.

●	All activities at the centre sportif have been suspended at least until 4 p.m. on Monday, February 6.

●	Residents who are enrolled in classes and were planning on using the facility over the next few days should call 311 or visit the municipal Web site.

Background

●	On Thursday, February 2, municipal crews doing maintenance work on the chlorination system noticed that part of a fibre cement pipe containing a small proportion of chrysotile asbestos appeared to be in questionable condition.

●	The room, located in the basement of the centre sportif, is not accessible to the public, and was immediately closed off as a preventive measure.

●	Gatineau also notified the Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) about the situation.

●	Municipal crews acted diligently and cautiously in shutting down the centre sportif swiftly and calling in a firm of experts to take samples and conduct analyses.

Information about the chrysotile asbestos-cement pipe

●	Chrysotile asbestos-cement is listed under a number of Canadian codes, including building and plumbing.

●	The CNESST administers regulations concerning its safe use.

●	The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also recognizes the safe use of asbestos-cement pipes.

●	The Government of Quebec has a policy aimed at increasing the use of products containing chrysotile.

●	The only contraindication to the safe use of that sewer pipe is that it must never be dry cut.

Information about the use of asbestos

●	Asbestos was used extensively in the construction of most public and private buildings in Quebec. It should be noted that this case does not concern insulation, but rather a sewer pipe containing a small proportion of chrysotile. The risk level is considered low in this particular case.

●	The risk level associated with materials containing asbestos depends on the condition of the materials and the potential for disturbance. That potential for disturbance depends on the following factors: access, brittleness, activity level, exposed surface, type of asbestos and asbestos content.

●	Asbestos is a substance that is known for its insulation and fireproofing qualities, and for increasing the resistance of products such as cement and plastics. This is why it is so abundant in industrial facilities and buildings.

●	It is important to realize that as long as the materials are not handled, they do not present any danger.

Questions about the potential health impact of asbestos should be directed to the Direction de santé publique de l'Outaouais at 819-664-8583.

An update will be issued on Monday, and the media will be invited to a press conference.

Quote

“We will not take any risks, and will do everything we can to protect the health and safety of centre sportif users and staff,” indicated Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin.

Images

– 30 –