Asbestos

Carolyn Sirett <carolyn.sirett [at] pc__gc__ca> writes

>I am a student from the Collections Conservation and Management
>Program at Fleming College and currently completing an internship at
>Parks Canada, Western and Northern Services Centre. I am completing
>a research project on the removal of asbestos in artifacts ...
>...
>    What was the method used to control the asbestos? (i.e. was a
>    sealant applied over the fibres or was it completely removed
>    from the artifact)
>...
>    What kinds of artifacts were encountered that contained
>    asbestos?

When asbestos is on or in an object of cultural patrimony you must
first assess the risk to the collection staff or owner as well as
others who may have limited contact and what that contact may be.
This involves an understanding* of the object: its materials,
history, condition, and collection present and future status. This
information then needs to be communicated to the applicable local
responsible office of health and safety for guidelines for necessary
compliance for health and safety. These may include physical
isolation, sealing, or removal. The conservator then must make the
appropriate recommendations for compliance, implement treatments for
compliance, or refer the object's treatment to someone else for
compliance.

I have done sealing and isolating treatments on many historic
aircraft pieces on display as well as reported appropriate
recommendations for compliance to higher responsible offices for
asbestos abatement procedures within the ceiling structure of
galleries.

The procedures involved multiple contractors, me included, with my
conservation guidelines and directives for the protection of the
decorative wall paintings. The choice of sealant, isolation
procedure, and recommendations will be determined: by the type of
artifact, the level of risk of asbestos to health and safety, and in
compliance with the applicable local responsible health and safety
office.

Richard J. Trela
Trela Fine Art Conservation
806-655-5640
Mobile: 805-335-0640


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 25:21
                 Distributed: Monday, October 24, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-25-21-002
                                  ***