The Asbestos Working Group
The Asbestos Working Group (AWG) has been working diligently the past few years on the Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) issue in Kahnawà:ke. The MCK thanks the community for their patience.
About Us
After consulting with external expert companies that include Arcadis Canada Inc., EXP and Englobe, final recommendations based on assessments and health management plans, have been provided.
Arcadis outlined clear procedures that conclude the safest solution possible. These plans align with Quebec and Federal regulations that reduce risks of disturbance of ACM. The management plan recommendations from Arcadis outline a “leave it in place” strategy and is the deemed the safest course of action in order to prevent the release of possible fibres into the air.
The Public Safety Division (PSD) has been mandated with implementing the recommended Management Plan and will provide continued monitoring on an annual basis. The Council of Chiefs will review the Management Plan and will accept for immediate implementation.
The Public Safety Division along with Public Relations Unit will conduct information and educational campaigns for community in order to ask questions and get all the updated information. Safety of our community is our mandate.
For More Information:
Please contact Tracey Snow, Public Safety Division, Special Projects Coordinator at 450-632-0635.
The Lead Portfolio Ratsénhaienhs for Public Safety is Ryan Montour.
FAQ
WHAT IS ASBESTOS?
HISTORY AND EXPOSURE
- Asbestos is a natural occurring fibrous mineral that was used in many different applications before the 1990’s.
- Research has proven that breathing in air borne asbestos fibers can cause medical issues.
- This is heavily dependent on length of exposure, and total lifetime dosage amount.
WHAT IS ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL (ACM)?
- A material is considered ACM if it contains more than 1% asbestos by weight.
- The ACM in our situation is from asbestos cement pipes where the asbestos fibers are encased in cement.
- Asbestos containing cement pipes used asbestos in the cement mix to increase the strength of the cement (similar to re-bar in reinforced concrete).
- These fibers are tightly bonded within the pipes and unlikely to release asbestos fibers into the air while intact.
- The soils surrounding the pipes are not impacted by the ACM and the fibers are not known to seep or leach into soils or water
- These fibers stay within the cement pipes unless the pipes are broken, damaged, crushed, cut or scraped.
WHAT IF I FIND A PIECE OF ACM?
LEAVE IT and CONTACT:
Public Safety Division
Monday to Friday 8:00am -3:30pm
(450) 632-0635
- A trained inspector in ACM will come out to your place to identify the pieces, document and ensure they are properly disposed.
- The reasons for having inspectors involved is to track and record all ACM pieces.
- Please note there is very low risk of any harm by just uncovering a piece of asbestos cement pipe because the fibers are encased in the cement and are only dangerous when
they are air borne.
REMEDIATION/CLEAN UP WORKS UPDATE?
- Several lots in the Lot 1 06 area have been completely remediated.
- During remediation, air samples were taken for airborne asbestos fibers. The samples showed that there was no concern from the potential release of airborne asbestos.
- MCK has hired an environmental consulting firm to sample some soils and provide remediation and or management options.
- The Asbestos Working Group will be presenting these options to the Council of Chiefs who will make a formal decision on how to proceed moving forward with remediating and or managing the ACM and surrounding soils.
News
Asbestos Civil Investigation report expected by mid-October – 09/22/2021
Asbestos Civil Investigation nears completion – 08/19/2021
Air Quality safe during removal of ACM – 07/24/2020
Asbestos Civil Investigation Monthly Update – 07/16/2021
Asbestos Civil Investigation monthly update – 06/18/2021
ACM removal work for Lot 106 rescheduled to Wednesday – 06/14/2021
More ACM removal work for Lot 106 – 06/11/2021
Asbestos Civil Investigation now underway – 05/20/2021
Independent Investigator and Community Observer named in Asbestos Civil Investigation – 05/05/2021
MCK conducting walk-through inspection for ACM on 207 near cemetery – 04/26/2021
Work to date on Asbestos Containing Material – 04/15/2021
REMINDER – Asbestos Civil Investigation Project Team seeks Community Observers – 04/06/2021
Asbestos Civil Investigation Project Team seeks Community Observers – 03/31/2021
Independent investigation to be conducted to address asbestos landfill issues – 02/17/2021
Removal of soil with ACM to begin tomorrow on Tekakwitha Island – 11/25/2020
ACM fragments to be removed from Tekakwitha Island – 11/12/2020
More ACM removal work on the way – 11/09/2020
MCK to conduct walk through inspection for ACM at Lot 106 area – 10/15/2020
Air Quality safe during removal of ACM – 07/24/2020
Remediation of private lot on Route 207 that contains ACM – 07/20/2020
Soils with Asbestos fragments to be removed – 07/13/2020
Soils with Asbestos fragments to be removed – 06/07/2020
MCK exploring all options on Asbestos removal – 11/14/2019
Tests indicate NO asbestos in air near remediation sites, Community Information Session tonight – 08/27/2019
MCK to remove soil with asbestos-containing pipe fragments – 07/30/2019
Video
Playlist
Links
Quebec National Institute of Public Health – Asbestos Fibres in Indoor and Outdoor Air
Resources from American Government – North Ridge Estates
Resources from the Australian Government
Asbestos – Contamination of Soil
Australian Department of Health – Asbestos
Australian Public Health Brochure
Management of small scale asbestos contamination
Resources from the United Kingdom
