Abstract

The dismantling of asbestos-containing materials generates significant concentrations of fibres, generally in the workers’ breathing zones. The researchers’ objective was to document the sources of fibre emission into the air during specific tasks and how different variables contribute to it. Among other things, their report presents the results of analyses of material and air samples collected during dismantling work. The authors recommend that air sampling in the workers’ breathing zones be applied, as prescribed by the Safety Code for the construction industry and the Regulation respecting occupational health and safety. They specify that this sampling should be carried out during tasks likely to emit the most dust in order to be able to better determine worker exposure, and to ensure, as a result, that these workers benefit from the appropriate respiratory protection and effective means of control.