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By Jud Menshal | Jan 20 2025 | Asbestos Removal Questions
The answers you find on this page might surprise you. But ultimately the most important thing is to continue protecting yourself and your family at all costs.
Is Asbestos Toxic by Definition?
Asbestos is Hazardous, but not Toxic.
Let's look at the definition of Toxic.
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Ok! So according to google and Oxford, Toxic is something with toxins such as poison or venom, something containing a chemical compound that will negatively impact our cells.
And now what is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral. This mineral has been mined in many placed including Libby, Montana, Asbestos (name recently changed), Quebec and other places around the word. This mineral does not have toxic properties, but inhalation can cause havoc on the lungs.
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In the same way that a kitchen knife is not toxic, but certainly presents a hazard, Asbestos can present a hazard. If left untouched it's fine, but if the containing material is altered, it is hazardous to your lungs.
Asbestos can be found in Commercial, Residential as well as Road construction.
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If your home was built prior to 1986, in Canada, asbestos may be present in the following materials.
It's important to note that Jan 1, 1986 is the Canadian year that asbestos was banned. Some mistakenly hop on google and quickly grab the American date that asbestos was banned. We will refrain from placing that year on this article in order to avoid confusion and to make sure that google doesn't accidentally extrapolate the wrong date into its "Snippet" feaure.
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The best and simplest advice for staying safe from asbestos is to Avoid altering an asbetsos containing surface in any way. If you have to, it's best to get professional advice on how to do it (hanging picture frames for example) or get a professional to abate it for larger projects.
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Your want to avoid the following actions when you have an asbestos containing surface:
Depending on the surface and the type of asbestos, these actions can have different severity of effects on the air quality in your home.
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Once an asbestos Fibre is inhaled its needle-like properties permit it to lodge itself into your lung tissue. Asbestos fibres are 1/100th the thickness of human hair and cannot be seen by the naked eye. Their shape is that of a needle or in the case of Tremolite (a very dangerous type of asbestos) a hook.
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While the fiber can't leave, the lung tissue will heal itself, just like a knife wound. But like a knife wound or a muscle after a gym, the lung will form some scar tissue in order to heal itself. Repetitious inhalation over a prolonged period of exposure increases the size of this scar tissue. This becomes a fatty environment, favourable for some undesired conditions. The most common of these being:
If you're planning a renovation and your home was built prior to 1986 it is your responsibility to test for these things and disclose the results to your contractor. If they are not qualified in Hazardous materials handling, you will need to get a qualified contractor to do the demolition (small or large scale) before the contractor can do whatever it is their scope entails.
Some feel that the several hundred dollars is too expensive. While we are all on a budget, you really can't afford not to. Especially if you have other people living in your home.
As parents, it is our responsibility to keep our family safe. Releasing asbestos fibres into a closed air environment is an unconscionable act that our family members, young or old would not approve of, given a say.
This is a very unfortunate conversation that we have with our clients every now and then. The belief that because their last contractor did not test meaning that they don't have asbestos.
The reality is this. There are very low barriers to entry into the construction industry. And unless one goes out and seeks the training on asbestos hazards, they know nothing about it.
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All a contractor knows is that everybody is afraid of it and they might lose the job if they mention it.
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"There are several levels of asbestos certifications and most contractors don't seek even seek the most basic one"
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In the end, just because someone did something incorrect in the past, it doesn't make it right. One could point out many situations that are "common" in today's society but are not right. Think politics or the food industry...
If you don't have the money right away - we can council you on temporary measures and a plan of action while you aquire the funds, either through savings or financing which we could facilitate.
We always try to find a way to work with our clients and their unique situations.
Unlike some home repairs, such as cosmetic carpentry, this is a matter if extreme importance that worsens your health condition over time. It isn't something that can perpetually be put off as the risks compound over time. For this reason, we are speedy in our communications with you to put a plan of action together in order to protect you and your family.
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At the time of writing, in Jan 2025, no, there are not. In 2023 there was a home environment grant that did include a certain amount of asbestos work, but to our knowledge this is no longer available. If you're aware of a new grant that is available, we would appreciate an email so we can update the answer to this question. Thanks!
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Article By
Jud is a 14 year Asbestos Removal Type 3 & Supervisor certified remediation technician with additional experience and certifications in Mold, Lead and Finishing. He holds all mandatory safety credentials important for running a safe project site.
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