Perhaps you have decided to go the way of an older home, with the intention of keeping some of the old charm (which is why you bought it in the first place ), and maybe doing a bit of upgrading to modernize or bring it up to code. Whatever the reason for your renovations, you should be aware of the possibility of asbestos.
Asbestos is a fibrous material with high tensile strength, the ability to be woven and resistant to heat and most chemicals. Because of these characteristics, it was widely used in the construction of homes during the early 1940’s through the 1970’s. In pre-1975 homes, it was commonly used as thermal insulation on boilers and pipes in the basement. It can also be found in other applications such as:
1. blown in insulation
2. vinyl floor tiles
3. glue that sticks floor tiles to wood or concrete
4. some linoleum
5. window glazing and caulking
6. roofing materials (usually flat roofs)
7. HVAC duct insulation ( corrugated or flat paper form)
8. siding material
9. plaster
10. fibre cement siding ( 1/8″ thick and 8×4″ brittle)
11. corrugated heavy duty 8×4″ panels
12. some forms of paint
Exposure to airborne asbestos particles may result in potential health risks. Particles inhaled imbed themselves in the lung tissue and cannot be expelled.Prolonged or continued exposure can increase the amount of fibers that remain embedded. Over time this may cause serious lung diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Asbestosis is a serious, progressive, long term non-cancer disease of the lungs. Lung cancer is the #1 cause of deaths related to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer found in the lining of the lung, chest, abdomen and heart. Almost all cases can be linked to asbestos exposure.
If you are concerned about the possibility of asbestos in your home, leave it to the professionals to determine the best course of action. There are specific precautions that must be put in place and that is what the pro’s are trained to do. There are many resources available to help you with any concerns, as well as who to bring in.
Here are just a few;
www.asbex.net
www.amcenvironmentalgroup.ca
www.tsenvironmental.com