Vermiculite Insulation – In Our Schools

February 22nd, 2012

After vermiculite insulation was found in a Peterborough area school about a year ago, the Ministry of Labour completed an inspection and the substance was determined to be contained and therefore not an immediate risk.

Containment of the substance is a key issue, however, and the local school board then instituted a practise of monthly inspections for the some 40 schools thought to contain the vermiculite insulation, along with annual inspections for asbestos in all the district’s schools.

The local Teacher’s Federation has said that’s not enough, and is asking the Ministry, among other things, for a third party assessment of all asbestos management plans.

The teachers’ concerns are well founded. The harmful effects of asbestos exposure are well documented, and known to be particularly harmful to children.

Vermiculite Insulation
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that isn’t a risk by itself in its pure form. Because of the nature of the material, however, and the geological processes that go to create it, it can sometimes occur in areas where asbestos is also present.

The mineral expands when it’s heated, making it seem like the ideal material to insulate homes and other buildings, and vermiculite was widely used as home insulation until the early 1990′s, especially in attic spaces. In North America, the bulk of it came from a mine in Libby, Montana which was found to be contaminated with asbestos. The mine was closed in 1990 once the asbestos contamination was discovered.

Unheated, vermiculite is shiny and flaky. Once heated, it expands to a chunky kind of appearance, and is brownish or beige in colour.

If you suspect that your home was insulated with vermiculite, then you should assume that it is contaminated with asbestos. If it’s entirely contained then it’s not considered a health risk, since the harmful effects come from inhaling the asbestos fibres, but exposure is a constant risk and regular and frequent inspections are a necessity.

In addition, you should not:

  • Store items in your attic
  • Let your children play in the attic

Removal is the only way to ensure lasting peace of mind – and your home’s resale value – but it’s not something you should attempt on your own. Even if you’re only renovating, when it comes to any work that has the potential to disturb the material in your walls, you need to call in professional help.

Call the Experts
Be safe rather than sorry – call in experts for help before any renovations. Please DO NOT DISTURB OR HANDLE the material in question, or try to sweep/vacuum it away. There is no “safe” level of exposure.

At GreenStream Environmental Services, we offer professional vermiculite and asbestos remediation services. In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414.  You’ll be glad you did.

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Italian Court Ruling Spotlights Asbestos in Fibre Cement

February 16th, 2012

A court in Turin, an industrial region of Italy, handed down a landmark sentence recently in the case of a company owner who exposed his workers to the dangers of asbestos inhalation. The court sentenced the Swiss man to a 16-year prison term over what is said to be the deaths of 2,000 workers. The man and another major shareholder were also order to pay the equivalent of $105 million (US dollars) to thousands of former workers and citizens who lived in proximity of the plant. The firm in question, Eternit, produced fibre cement and its Italian branch went bankrupt in 1986.

Asbestos in Fibre Cement
Fibre cement is often used for siding of both residential and industrial buildings. Because it can be moulded to any form, it often appears as imitation wood siding, clapboard or shingles. Harkening back to the Italian court case, Eternit was the original brand name for fibre cement panels, as patented in Austria in 1901 by Ludwig Hatschek.

Asbestos fibres were added to the cement mix originally to take advantage of the mineral’s virtually indestructible properties, increasing the strength of fibre cement panels. It was widely banned from use in the 1980′s in many countries, but still exists as siding on many older homes and buildings.

As long as the material remains intact and tightly bound in the cement mixture, and the asbestos material is confined to the exterior of your home, you and your family aren’t at a significant risk. However, once the material begins to deteriorate and becomes friable, meaning it can be inhaled, and you’re planning on removing and/or replacing the siding, that risk increases.

Before any renovation projects…
Do yourself a favour and call in the experts from GreenStream Environmental Services for an asbestos inspection. At GreenStream Environmental Services, we offer professional vermiculite and asbestos remediation services to help you contain and then rid yourself of this problem.

In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414.  You’ll be glad you did.

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Asbestos In Your Home

February 9th, 2012

Asbestos was so widely incorporated in both residential and industrial construction at one time (largely from the 1930’s to 1970) that it was used in areas you may not be expecting.  Here’s a look at some of the lesser known places you might find it in an older home:

  • Wall sheeting, often used in areas like the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room – you’ll sometimes see this in the wall panels, often patterned and glazed, which were screwed into the walls around showers or baths, for example
  • Ceiling sheeting and lining
  • Bonded patching compounds, often used around windows
  • Textured paints, which may appear under the brand names Marblecoat, Pebblecoat or Suretex, among others
  • To compound the effect, textured paints were often used to cover other asbestos related materials, like insulation board
  • Asbestos felt, which was sometimes used as a backing of vinyl and linoleum sheet flooring, or under floor tiles in the bathroom
  • Insulation in heaters or stoves – if you’ve got an old stove kicking around the basement or garage, it’s best to get rid of it

The material is not considered hazardous as long as it’s intact. However, scratches, scrapes and any deterioration can result in the material becoming “friable”, meaning the asbestos can crumble and become airborne.  The danger to your health comes from inhaling asbestos fibres. Even where it’s intact and technically not a hazard, it represents a potential barrier to selling your home in an ever more environmentally conscious market.

Call the Asbestos Removal Experts
Be safe rather than sorry – if your home was built before the 1980`s, then assume that it may contain asbestos in a variety of locations and call in the experts from GreenStream Environmental Services for help before any renovations. Please DO NOT DISTURB OR HANDLE the material in question, or try to sweep/vacuum it away. There is no “safe” level of exposure.

At GreenStream Environmental Services, we offer certified asbestos removal services.  In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous) from homes, condominiums, apartment buildings and more.  Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414.  You’ll be glad you did.

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Exposing Workers to Asbestos Nets Vancouver Man Jail Time

February 3rd, 2012

Arthur Moore, a Vancouver area demolition contractor, was recently sentenced to a 60-day jail term for exposing his employees to the hazards of asbestos.

The case is a rare example of a jail term handed down to an employer who exposes his employees to preventable health risks, but did not go far enough according to some sources. Lawyers working on behalf of the B.C. Workers’ Compensation Board had asked for a term of 6 months to a year, and the president of the province’s Federation of Labour was quoted as saying the sentence wasn’t nearly long enough for “basically giving the death sentence to a whole lot of workers.” He noted that criminal neglect charges should have been filed as well.

Mr. Moore operated his demolition business in the greater Vancouver area under various company names, and the court documents detail a shocking case. Mr. Moore was in the habit of hiring recovering addicts, many of them teenagers and reportedly as young as 14. He then knowingly sent them to demolish buildings that contained asbestos materials without the proper protection. He’s said to have put the lives of some 50 workers at risk over the last few years.

Worker Safety = Client Safety
It’s the responsibility of every employer to ensure a safe work environment, and when it comes to asbestos exposure, the risks are well known. Since the harmful effects come from inhaling asbestos in its friable form, construction and demolition workers are at particular risk, along with those involved in the asbestos abatement and removal industries.

Here at GreenStream Environmental Services, we understand that protecting our workers means we’re protecting our clients too. If your contractor doesn’t care about his own employees, how can he ensure your safety? Our employees are experienced and fully certified to handle asbestos remediation, removal and clean-up, and operate with the highest standards of equipment and safety procedures.

Before any renovation projects, call in the experts from GreenStream Environmental Services for an asbestos inspection. At GreenStream Environmental Services, we offer expert and certified vermiculite and asbestos remediation services to help you contain and then rid yourself of this problem.

In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414.  You’ll be glad you did.

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Asbestos in Roofing Materials

January 24th, 2012

A U.S. based contractor was recently fined for directing his workers to illegally dispose of hazardous waste, including the burning of roof shingles containing asbestos. The shingles had come from a renovation project his company had completed.

Contractors are particularly susceptible to asbestos exposure from roofing simply because of all the renovation projects they enter into. However, asbestos roofing materials were widely used through the 20th century, and anyone with a home 20 years older or more in particular should suspect that their roofing may contain asbestos. Even where the roofing is newer, it’s common practice in “DIY” or do-it-yourself situations to simply add a new layer of shingles onto existing layers. It’s not uncommon to find 3 or 4 layers of shingles on an older roof!

Asbestos in Roofing Materials
In actual fact, what is often called asbestos roofing is actually composed of a number of materials, including other mineral fibres and cement. The actual asbestos content ranged from manufacturer to manufacturer. In addition to the tiles themselves, asbestos can often be found in the putty or sealant used on the roof as well as a material known as “roofing felt” which was used on flat or pitched roofs.

It may seem crazy now, but asbestos was once considered the ideal material for construction materials, and for roofing in particular. It’s nearly indestructible and can withstand heat, moisture and normal wear and tear in a way that seems miraculous. It was only after workers who had been exposed to the material over decades began to develop the symptoms of deadly and incurable lung cancer that its hidden nature became known.

The material is not considered hazardous as long as it’s in tact. However, scratches, scrapes and any deterioration can result in the material becoming “friable”, meaning the asbestos can crumble. The danger to your health comes from inhaling asbestos fibres.

Call the Experts
Be safe rather than sorry – if your home was built before the 1980`s, then assume that it may contain asbestos in a variety of locations and call in the experts from GreenStream Environmental Services for help before any renovations. Please DO NOT DISTURB OR HANDLE the material in question. There is no “safe” level of exposure.

At GreenStream Environmental Services, we offer professional vermiculite and asbestos remediation services. In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414.  You’ll be glad you did.

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Asbestos in Your Windows

January 18th, 2012

If you own an old house – with todays’ energy costs – it’s likely that one of the first renovation projects you’ve considered is replacing old windows. It makes good sense even if the initial outlay is relatively large, since window manufacturing technology has advanced by leaps and bounds and new windows can substantially reduce heat loss.

Before you start, and whether you decide to do it yourself or hire contractors, consider the asbestos risk. That’s right – in addition to the many other uses for asbestos you may already be aware of in your home, it can also be found around your windows.

Window Glazing
Asbestos was once a common component of window glazing and caulking, particularly on the exterior of a home. Window glazing, also called window putty or plumber’s putty, is the material that is used to fit and seal windows and glass panels. It goes on soft and hardens in place. While it’s hard and intact, it’s not considered to be dangerous, since the adverse health effects of asbestos come about as a result of inhaling the fibres. However, as the material ages, it can decompose and crumble, and certainly, when windows are being removed, that seal is damaged and the material becomes “friable” or inhalable.

Windowsills
You may also find asbestos in your windowsills or window paneling, and again, the danger will come when the material is damaged or disturbed and the material can be breathed into the lungs. You’re likely to find asbestos in the window area of your home if it was constructed before the 1980’s, and in particular if it was constructed or last renovated between the 1950’s and the 1970’s.

The risk is no joke; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the U.S. has cited contractors in the past for exposing workers to asbestos during window renovations. It’s certainly nothing to take your chances with.

Before any renovation projects, call in the experts from GreenStream Environmental Services for an asbestos inspection. At GreenStream Environmental Services, we offer certified and safe asbestos removal and disposal to help you contain and then rid yourself of this problem.

In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414.  You’ll be glad you did.

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Danger From Above – Asbestos in Ceiling Tiles

January 13th, 2012

Asbestos was considered a “wonder product” for much of the 20th century. Its fire resistant and nearly indestructible properties made it seem like the ideal material for construction of both residential and institutional structures – both safe and effective. Unfortunately, it took decades before its health effects – including incurable lung cancer – were seen, often in workers exposed to the material without protection.

In addition to its many other uses and seemingly protective properties, it was discovered to have sound proofing qualities, and so became commonly used in what are called “acoustic” ceilings in the form of ceiling tiles. In acoustic ceilings, the asbestos tiles are suspended from the roof, typically with wires – also known as a drop ceiling. This drop ceiling method of construction creates a space between the tiles which augments the naturally sound proofing properties of the material, making it a seemingly natural choice for institutions in particular.

That space between tiles and roof is also where HVAC ducts were often installed. The big problem with this set up is that the danger from asbestos comes when the fibres becomes airborne and are inhaled into the lungs, so the proximity of asbestos tiles and ductwork that runs throughout a building created a great potential for adverse effects.

Identifying Asbestos Ceiling Tiles
Some manufacturers left identifying marks on asbestos ceiling tiles, but age may have deteriorated such markings, and in addition, there`s no guarantee of the label. Asbestos may be present even if the main component of the tiles is another material such as fibreglass or cellulose. In other words, even if you`re familiar with the appearance of asbestos tiles, you cannot assume that visual inspection alone will tell you what you need to know.

Call the Experts
Be safe rather than sorry – if your home was built before the mid-1970`s, then assume that any ceiling tiles contain asbestos and call in the experts for help before any renovations. Please DO NOT DISTURB OR HANDLE the material in question. It is not considered dangerous if the material is still intact; however any future nicks, breaks or deterioration of the surface can mean a potential hazard. There is no “safe” level of exposure.

At GreenStream Environmental Services, we regularly remove asbestos in ceilings, walls, siding and more.  In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Woodbridge, Vaughan, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414.  You’ll be glad you did.

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Firefighters Evacuated From Fire House Due to Asbestos Exposure

January 4th, 2012

Firefighters routinely expose themselves to danger in the effort to save lives and property, including the knowledge that they may be exposed to asbestos when their work takes them into older structures. It’s an expected part of the job. What they don’t expect, however, is to be exposed to those kinds of risks in their very own house, but that’s just what happened recently in upstate New York.

The firefighters at Fire House 3 in Lackawanna were evacuated in late December when testing confirmed the presence of dangerous amounts of asbestos fibre in the air. The tests were ordered by the firefighters union after large quantities of dust were noticed in the building. They’ll remain out of the building while asbestos abatement work goes on.

The older structure was undergoing renovations to the piping system and boiler, and a spokesperson for the union said that the initial reaction was simply to issue a memorandum that advised the firefighters to avoid the second floor of the building. However, it proved impossible to completely avoid the upper level and the dust disturbed by the renovations circulated throughout the building.

Union Concerned
While the abatement work is obviously the right step to take, the firefighters and their union are concerned that it took a few weeks from the testing in early December to issue the order to evacuate, as well as that the initial order to avoid the second floor was entirely inadequate as a preventive measure. The danger from asbestos comes from inhaling the fibres, and no level of exposure is considered safe.

If your home was built before 1970, it too may house building materials that contain asbestos. Before any renovation projects, call in the experts from GreenStream Environmental Services for an asbestos inspection. At GreenStream Environmental Services, we offer professional vermiculite and asbestos remediation services to help you contain and then rid yourself of this problem.

In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414.  You’ll be glad you did.

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Canadian Red Cross Exec Ignites Controversy with Asbestos Industry Links

December 28th, 2011

Business and personal relationships with links to the asbestos industry may lead the Canadian Red Cross Society to ask for the resignation of one of its Executive Board Members. Board Member Roshi Chandha hit the headlines earlier this month when anti-asbestos activists questioned the propriety of her serving with an organization known for its humanitarian work around the world.

Balcorp Ltd.
At issue is the fact that Ms Chandha is the wife of Baljit Chandha, president of Montreal-based Balcorp Ltd. and the main push behind the bid to re-open the huge Jeffrey Asbestos Mine in Quebec. As part of the deal, Balcorp is looking for $58 million in loan guarantees from the Quebec government.

Roshi Chandha also serves as an executive of Seja Trade Ltd., a shipping company that exports asbestos to Asian countries. The company is a subsidiary of Balcorp.

The Canadian Red Cross does not normally look into the outside business interests of its board members, but has decided to meet and review Ms Chandha’s position early in the new year. The effort to bring her ties to the asbestos industry to light was spearheaded by anti-asbestos activist Leah Nielson, who grew up in Sarnia, Ontario and watched her father die of mesothelioma in 2008.  Her father worked in construction and brought home the asbestos fibres on his work clothes, and the deadly disease may also have affected her mother, who is currently under medical observation for a spot on her lung.

Asbestos Exposure
His example illustrates a lingering problem. Not only did construction workers of much of the 20th century expose themselves and their families to the deadly effects of asbestos, they left behind a wide variety of asbestos-tainted products routinely used in construction prior to 1970, including insulation, siding, ceiling and roof tiles and more.

Please note – if you suspect any kind of asbestos use in your home, and before any renovation projects, please DO NOT DISTURB OR HANDLE the material in question. The danger from asbestos comes from inhaling the fibres, and anything you can do to contain or avoid it until you can call in the experts from GreenStream Environmental Services will help to minimize the impact.

It is not considered dangerous if the material is still intact; however any future nicks or breaks in the surface can mean a potential hazard.

At GreenStream Environmental Services, we offer professional vermiculite and asbestos remediation services. In the Toronto area  at (416) 818-9414.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA including North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond, GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414.  You’ll be glad you did.

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Asbestos, Vermiculite and Christmas Ornaments

December 22nd, 2011

Christmas is the time when people thrive on continuing family traditions. From Mom’s incredible gravy method to the star on the tree that’s been handed down for three generations, it’s a time to include the past in today’s celebrations. When it comes to those Christmas ornaments, however, there are a couple of things you should consider.

What’s in the Attic?

If yours is an older home, you may just be storing your seasonal ornaments in the attic. That can be a problem if your home was insulated with vermiculite. Vermiculite is a natural mineral that was used for home insulation for most of the 20th century. The majority of the vermiculite used in insulation in North America comes from a Montana site that was heavily mined from the 1920’s until the 1990’s. By itself, vermiculite isn’t a known health risk; the problem is that the Montana site was contaminated with asbestos.

Even if other types of insulation were used in your home, it may also contain vermiculite, which was commonly marketed as a do-it-yourself project. Many homeowners went into the attic themselves to pour it down into the walls in order to bolster the effect of existing foam or other insulation.

Whatever you’re storing in an attic with vermiculite insulation could be covered in asbestos dust. It’s a particular concern when it comes to Christmas ornaments in that children are often the ones to handle and play with them, and children are also the most vulnerable to the health effects that come from asbestos exposure.

Artificial Snow

A lesser risk comes from very old Christmas balls, wreaths and other ornaments with fake snow. It may seem shocking today, but asbestos flakes were often used as decorative artificial snow and many early 20th century ornaments include that substance. Even now, after decades, they may contain small amounts of asbestos.

They may have sentimental value, but you’re probably better off setting aside older Christmas ornaments in favour of newer and safer materials.

Did you know?

There’s a scene in the classic film The Wizard of Oz where Judy Garland as Dorothy, along with Toto and her other traveling companions are put to sleep by a spell cast by the Wicked Witch of the West. They’re awakened by a snowfall – and in the film that snowfall was made up entirely of flakes of white asbestos that covered the whole cast and set.

Vermiculite Insulation:

Vermiculite insulation, which was most often sold under the name ‘Zonolite® Attic Insulation’, is brown or greyish and pebbly in texture. If you see it in your attic or elsewhere in your home, and before any renovation projects, please DO NOT disturb it. The danger from asbestos comes from inhaling the fibres, and anything you can do to contain or avoid it until you can call in the experts from GreenStream Environmental Services will help to minimize the impact.

At GreenStream Environmental Services, we offer professional vermiculite and asbestos remediation services to help you contain and then rid yourself of this problem.

In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414.  You’ll be glad you did.

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