Asbestos is a dangerous material. The mineral has been responsible for many deaths over the past 100 years. Even though its dangers are well-known, it is still easy to find asbestos in Vancouver. In this article we will talk about how did asbestos start to become popular, what is the situation now and what may be the future of asbestos.
The origins of asbestos in Vancouver
As we mentioned before, Canada’s first asbestos mine was opened in Quebec in the late 1870’s, and it was the first commercial asbestos mine in North America. The mineral became very popular, and started to be mined all around the country, including British Columbia. By the 1920’s there were already studies and reports about sick workers, and how it could be related to asbestos. But because of asbestos abundance and versatility, it remained popular throughout the 20th century. Most houses and buildings made during this period have asbestos in Vancouver.
Current situation
Canada stopped mining asbestos in 2012. The country, however, did not ban the use of the mineral, like many other countries did. Many people have died because of asbestos in Canada. It is estimated that 2.1 in every 100,000 Canadians are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year. And asbestos exposure is the biggest cause of work-related death in Canada. Many constructions, from schools and hospitals to houses and commercial buildings still contain asbestos. The material is also used in other everyday objects. Many homes and business choose to hire an abatement services for asbestos in Vancouver.
What about the future?
Canada is moving ahead to ban asbestos. This is a very important step towards the health and safety of Canadian workers. It is important to notice, however, that mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases often take a very long time to develop. This fact implies that even after a ban on the substance, it will take a few decades for the numbers of deaths and illnesses related to asbestos to start to drop. And the local tendency is that among with demolitions and renovations, the number of constructions with asbestos in Vancouver will keep dropping over time.
There are many reasons to avoid contact with asbestos. Although this is a very dangerous substance, it needs to be treated with respect and information. The best way to deal with asbestos is, in fact, to hire a professional and experienced company. A&D Demolition is highly qualified to remove and dispose of asbestos in Vancouver. You can contact us for a free on site evaluation. Take asbestos out of your life.