Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in much of North America until the 1980’s for acoustic and thermal insulation, and fire proofing. As such many older industrial, commercial and residential buildings still have asbestos-containing materials which can include: ceiling tiles, plaster, texture coat (stucco), drywall compound, vinyl floor tiles and sheeting, pipe insulation, and some loose-fill vermiculite insulation.
Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibres that can become airborne when the asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed. When these fibres get into the air they may be inhaled into the lungs, where they can cause significant health problems. Prolonged exposure to high levels of asbestos fibres has been link to diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma or asbestosis.
In an effort to limit people’s exposure to asbestos the Ministry of Labour’s, Occupation Health and Safety Act, has listed asbestos as one of 11 “Designated Substances” (Other products on this list include lead, arsenic and mercury), with specific procedures regarding the use, handling and disposal of these products. For buildings containing any Designated Substances annual Designated Substance Surveys are recommended to verify the condition of the products and whether repair or removal is required.
So is asbestos dangerous? Yes it is. First though you should determine if products in your home or workplace contain asbestos or other 'Designated Substances'. The best way to do this is have an experienced consultant inspect and analyze any suspected products. Be sure and be safe.
Something to ponder: The use of asbestos in Canada today is very limited, but more than 240,000 tonnes of asbestos is mined each year in Quebec, making Canada the fourth largest exporter of asbestos in the world. The main destinations for Canadian asbestos are countries such as India and Pakistan, where safety regulations surrounding asbestos handling and use are either sparse or non-existent.
