Asbestos mineral has six different fiber varieties: amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, actinolite, and chrysotile. Chrysotile is the most common and can be found nowadays in walls, floors, ceilings and roofs of homes and businesses. All six types of asbestos are proven to be carcinogenic.
Why is asbestos still alive in Canada?
This hazardous material was once considered as the magic mineral and was used for many different uses as insulation material that didn’t conduct electricity. It was an incredible material that was found in more than a thousand construction products, but it happens also to be a silent killer. This mineral was sold as a high-quality material for residential homes and buildings designed to last a lifetime, because of its fire and water resistant properties.
The World Health Organization (WHO), The Canadian Cancer Society and the International Labour Organization have requested a ban on all forms of asbestos. Asbestos has been banned in 59 countries around the world. Incredibly, Canada is not one of them. Despite asbestos-containing products being closely regulated under the Hazardous Products Act in Canada, and Work Safe in BC, it has become the number one workers killer, causing diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Specialists around the world agree that the asbestos industry is a criminal industry because when you deliberately disregard public and worker health, you are committing murder. Even if they argue they have not targeted a particular worker, the statistics tell us a different story. When you are exposed to asbestos, either you inhale or ingest it. This material has the ability to alter the body cells and turning them into cancerous cells, killing more than a 100,000 people a year.
Then, why is asbestos still alive in Canada?
The chrysotile asbestos industry in Canada moves 100 million dollars. Over 90% of Canada’s asbestos is exported to developing countries like India and Mexico, where workers protections are loose, and the remaining percentage is used at home in pipes and tiles. If the government cannot control the asbestos industry, what can we do? Education, advocacy and awareness are our answers. Whether you have the suspicion of having asbestos at your home or business, do not risk your health and the health of your family or workers. Leave the work to professionals.
If you have a renovation project in mind and are unsure of how to handle it properly, A&D Demolition and Asbestos Removal is a North Vancouver-based company with over 10 years of industry background. You can rely on our experience to handle any situation of demolition and asbestos removal, eliminating any risk in the process. Your safety is our number one responsibility, and we offer a quality job at a reasonable price. We take care of every step, from demolition to transport and disposal of all waste and hazardous materials. Our experience enables us to do a hassle-free demotion project without any environmental issues. Contact us for a free quote!