Asbestos was used in many buildings constructions during the 20th century, but we discovered that it presents serious risks to your health.
It has killed some people over the years. That is why asbestos is now known as the silent killer since it looks harmless, but it is hazardous. Therefore, asbestos removal has increased in the past years.
Yet, there is some misinformation about it. Let’s see some common myths about asbestos to understand this material better.
1. Every New Property is Free from Asbestos
Unfortunately, this is not true. Asbestos was still used until 2018, so “new” property may have asbestos. We recommend that you contact a professional to help you if you own a property built before this year.
As you can see in this article from Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), asbestos was entirely banned only in 2018.
2. No One Knew About the Asbestos Danger Back in The Day
Indeed, some companies didn’t know about the dangers of asbestos, but many industry leaders knew about it, as multiple documentations and reports show. They chose to ignore it so they could keep selling asbestos.
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3. The Only Harm That Asbestos Can Cause is Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma, a type of cancer common in the lungs, is one of asbestos’s most common side effects. However, it is not the only one. Many diseases can occur from exposure to this material, such as ovarian and laryngeal cancer.
4. Asbestos is No Longer Found in Canada
There are still several buildings with asbestos in Canada. According to the British Columbia Gov News, “asbestos exposure was a contributing factor in 53 of 161 workplace deaths” in 2021.
The material is often found in building insulation, construction materials, car and truck brake pads, drywall, etc.
Many new asbestos disease cases were caused by exposition 20 or even 30 years ago. It is known as the silent killer since it takes decades for its symptoms to be felt, and once it shows, it may be too late.
5. If Found on Your Property, Asbestos Should Be Removed Immediately
Many people are righteous concerned about asbestos and its dangers, so they run multiple tests to know if their buildings have asbestos or not. If they do, people’s first impulse is to remove asbestos immediately.
Although it is certainly a need, you must be careful. Asbestos is only dangerous if the material that contains it is damaged.
Before doing anything, contact a professional company that removes asbestos and ask them what the best course of action is. They will analyze the situation to see if the asbestos must be removed immediately and how it should be removed.
Astra Construction Management is a Canadian company that offers many services, such as asbestos tests and removal. They won the Consumer Choice Award in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Besides, they have won the Top Choice Award in 2019 and 2020. This award-winning company is very professional and trains all employees on environmental law and best practices.
