Asbestos is a mineral product of high durability and low cost. It consists of a set of solidly-attached mineral fibers that make it very resistant to heat abrasion and traction. These features have made it a material widely used as reinforcing component or as material for thermal, electrical or acoustic insulation. Its chemical resistance has led to use it in commercial, industrial and residential buildings, mainly before 1990. Whether materials with asbestos release more or fewer fibers depends on how intact or how damaged they are.
The condition of asbestos-containing materials may vary over time due, for example, to the damage they may suffer from use or spoilage. If the fibers can be released, there is a danger of inhaling those that are suspended in the air. These microscopic fibers can deposit in the lungs, remain there for years, and normally cause disease decades later, making asbestos the hidden killer. All varieties of asbestos are carcinogens class 1; that is, it has been found to cause cancer in humans.
The Regulation of Work Safe BC defines an asbestos-containing material as containing a minimum of 0.5%. You can be exposed to asbestos-containing materials during general maintenance work, renovation, demolition or additions of a building or residence. If that is the case, the owner or the contracted company is responsible for the safety and well-being of everyone at the job site. For this purpose, before the work begins, it is necessary to identify the existence of asbestos by a qualified inspector who will collect samples of the property’s materials to test them. Before any remodeling or demolition work, all materials containing asbestos must be removed and disposed of by trained professionals. When a construction job is going to take place, everyone on site must know before work starts about the condition and location of asbestos.
If you have a renovation project in mind and don’t want to become a statistic of asbestos, the hidden killer, A&D Demolition and Asbestos Removal is a North Vancouver-based company with over 10 years of industry background in asbestos abatement. You can rely on our experience to handle any situation of demolition and asbestos removal, eliminating any risk of 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.