A task force was formed by Environment Canada to study

in depth the air pollution emissions and controls of the
Canadian Asbestos Mining and Milling Industry, and as a
result circulated in July 1974 an atmospheric emissions
questionnaire to all asbestos producers in Canada.*
Emission standards specific to the industry are being
presently proposed based on the information provided from
the survey returns and research/inventory data. Although
at present there are no national emission standards for
asbestos in Canada, there are in effect National Ambient
Air Quality Objectives which define limits of various
pollution levels in air and have been designed to protect
public health and welfare. A three level system is speci-~
fied in the Clean Air Act, the levels being termed desirable
(long term goal), acceptable (realistic present objective),
and tolerable (indicative of imminent danger requiring
immediate abatement action). To date only desirable and
acceptable levels for four pollutants have been specified,
and as summarized in Table |, Tolerable standards are
still under review, as are complete standards for nitro-
gen oxides and hydrocarbons.

* Copy of completed questionnaire attached to back of this report.