Air Quality Tests Reassuring for Sydney Public Housing Residents

The latest air quality tests taken in occupied public housing units in Ashby and Whitney Pier, Cape Breton Co., show no sign of airborne asbestos.

Results received today, May 3, by the Atlantic Indoor Audit Company of Sydney from a New Jersey lab confirmed zero presence of asbestos in 11 units and one common area.

"This is encouraging news," said David Muggah, president of Atlantic Indoor Air Audit. "It shows that exposure to tenants and workers is negligible and non-detectable."

As part of the ongoing inspection program, three bulk sample tests received Monday, May 2, confirmed the presence of asbestos fibres in vermiculite insulation which are over the one per cent allowable limit by Health Canada. Two units have already been sealed and the third unit will be sealed Friday.

The Cape Breton Island Housing Authority has established an interim asbestos management plan to deal with vermiculite insulation, which was found to contain asbestos fibres. The plan has been approved by the Department of Environment and Labour and is currently being implemented. The plan includes air quality testing and sealing attics in about 100 public housing units.

Ward Glogowski, property manager with the authority said about 40 units have already been sealed and tested. The housing authority expects to finish its testing and sealing program in Ashby and Whitney Pier within two weeks.

"Our crews are working six days a week sealing off attics," said Mr. Glogowski. "Our priority is to ensure our residents have safe and healthy homes in which to live."

The Cape Breton Island Housing Authority has already begun inspecting the rest of its housing portfolio.

The Department of Community Services directed the other six housing authorities around the province to inspect all public housing properties for vermiculite insulation. A review of 10,000 properties found that 23 units contained vermiculite insulation. Asbestos was found in 20 units, including Wolfville, Middleton and Antigonish County. The attics in those 20 areas have been sealed.

The regional medical officer of health for environmental health issues is working with the Cape Breton Island Housing Authority to deal with any health-related concerns.

For more information on asbestos, see the Health Canada website at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/prod/insulation-isolant_e.html .

FOR BROADCAST COPY:

The latest air quality tests taken from public housing units

in Ashby and Whitney Pier show no sign of airborne asbestos.

David Muggah of Atlantic Indoor Audit Company says the news

is encouraging and it shows that exposure to tenants and

workers is negligible.

Forty units in the Cape Breton Island Housing Authority have

already been tested and attics sealed. The housing authority

expects to finish its testing and sealing program in Ashby and

Whitney Pier within two weeks.

The regional medical officer of health for environmental

health issues is working with the housing authority to deal with

any health-related concerns.