Asbestos Removal
Due diligence. Identification. Safe removal. Disposal.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was has been used by humans for over 4000 years, and was commonly used in many building materials in Canada for over 50 years.
Asbestos is commonly found in a variety of building materials used in industrial, commercial, institutional and residential buildings constructed prior to the early 1980s.
Although Asbestos possesses many qualities such as resistance to heat, chemicals and wear, studies have shown that prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause serious illnesses, including malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
It is important to determine if Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) are present in a building, especially prior to a renovation or demolition, or as due diligence for a purchase and sale.
Need soil, sediment and groundwater laboratory analysis, or a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment?
Call for a quote at 416-476-1790.
Finding Asbestos
The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) identified the following building components that are known to contain asbestos:
- Loose-fill vermiculite insulation
- Vinyl floor tiles and sheet flooring
- Acoustical ceiling tiles, wallboard and plaster
- Clapboard; shingles and felt for roofing
- Exterior siding
- Pipe and boiler coverings
- Adhesives such as caulk, putty, roof patching, furnace cement
Resources:
Asbestos was banned for use in virtually all building materials in Canada in the early 1980s. In Ontario, Asbestos is regulated as a “Designated Substance” under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Finding Asbestos Containing Materials in buildings built before the early 1980s is very common.