THE ONLY SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL ICI ROOFING CONTRACTORS IN ONTARIO ORN 14  ONTARIO ROOFING NEWS – FALL 2018 Inside OIRCA Asphalt “Not Harmful,” Canadian Study Proclaims R oofing contractors that install hot asphalt-based roofing such as built-up (BUR) and modified bitumen (mod-bit) systems often receive resistance from building own- ers and their occupants. Smell, of course, is the primary issue. That pungent odour of hot as- phalt often triggers comments regarding the negative health effects associated with its use. In August of 2017, Canada’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of the Environment jointly released a Screen Assessment of asphalt and oxidized asphalt. They note that these materials “are used primarily (approximately 99 per cent) in the construction of roads and in roofing materials, but they may be found in adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings.” Hot-applied BUR and mod-bit systems together command a very large segment of the low-slope ICI (industrial/commercial/ institutional) roofing market in this province. Both use asphalt as a primary component in their systems. The difference is mod- bit is assembled on the roof while BUR is manufactured. Chemically, asphalts are derived from petroleum. Built-up roofing systems employ one of four types (including modified), while mod-bit uses a polymer- modified asphalt to manufacture the membrane in the factory. Built-up roofing applications receive the lion’s share of complaints from building occupants as the asphalt used must be heated to a molten state in roofing kettles. A by- product of this process is smoke, along with its accompanying smell. Some people do in fact experience discomfort, even headaches, when exposed to this odour. It is human nature to assume that unpleasant smells equate to some sort of health risk. The reality is that there is no direct correlation between the two. The Canadian study concludes, in part, that “general population exposure to asphalt and oxidized asphalt is not considered to constitute a risk to human health.” It goes on to say: “as they are not entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.” While the study’s message may not be entirely positive from an occupational health and safety perspective, this information may prove helpful to roofing contractors and their clients who suspect that asphalt may be harmful to the occupants in their buildings. The complete 88-page screening assessment may be found at: http://www.ec.gc.ca/ ese-ees/802930A1-5736-4741- A512-2B402947F746/Asphalts_ En.pdf By Don Marks, Executive Director, OIRCA 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Temperature 93 121 149 176 204 232 260 288 316 ZERO % of fumes in the air Regular BUR 75 % Reduction °C * ** By BITUMAR 11155 St-Catherine Street East Montreal-East, QC H1B 0A4 Tel.: 514 645-4561 bitumar.com ZERO ODOUR • When cold • Up to 177°C • 75% less fumes than regular roofing asphalt • BURPAK ZERO contains an odour suppressant which combined with a lower temperature of installation, minimizes asphalt odour • Zero complaint on odour • Complaints are time consuming and reduce productivity on job sites * The ideal viscosity temperature is typically lower by 23°C for BURPAK ZERO when compared with regular roofing asphalt. Therefore, there is no need for the kettle temperature to exceed 232°C when using BURPAK ZERO. ** Maximum temperature of a kettle as per ASTM D312. A NEW ROOFING ASPHALT WITH A LOWER EVT WHICH REDUCES FUMES AND ODOUR.