Asbestos Mines and Mills Release Regulations

Act: Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, c. 33, S.C.
Regulation: Asbestos Mines and Mills Release Regulations, SOR 90-341

To Whom Does This Apply?

Owners and operators of asbestos mines or mills in Canada.

Eligible Activities

Mining and milling of asbestos.

Summary

The Asbestos Mines and Mills Release Regulations were promulgated on June 14, 1990, pursuant to subsection 34 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

First issued under the Clean Air Act in 1977, the Regulations were intended as a precautionary measure, to limit the concentration of asbestos fibres in gases emitted into the ambient air at asbestos mines or mills from crushing, drying, or milling operations.

The Regulations required asbestos mines and mills to install the necessary environmental control technology in order to meet the prescribed limits. Asbestos fibres are controlled to varying degrees by dust collection systems using mechanical collectors and/or baghouses.

The Regulations contain provisions whereby the Minister of the Environment may request to the owner or operator of a facility to submit:

• information and samples respecting the operation of the facility (release measurement reports);
• information on malfunctions and breakdowns; and
• information on air pollution control equipment.

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this section is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. For particular questions, the users are invited to contact their lawyer. For additional information, see contact(s) listed below.

Manitoba Contact(s):
See National Contact.

 

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National Contact(s):
Service in English:
Mr. Chris Doiron
Chief, Mining Section
Mining and Processing Division
Environment Canada
Place Vincent Massey
351 Saint-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau, Quebec  K1A 0H3
Telephone: 819-953-1105
Fax: 819-953-5053
E-mail: chris.doiron@ec.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.ec.gc.ca/envhome.html
 

 

Environmental Protection Publications Centre
Environment Canada
Telephone: 613-953-5921 or 613-953-5750
Fax: 819-953-7253
Web site: http://www.ec.gc.ca/envhome.html