Just as the 8th annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference is about to take place in California this weekend (March 30 – April 1), residents of a Manitoba town fume over 410 tonnes of asbestos debris left in the local dump.
The Conference is designed to increase awareness of the dangers of asbestos and included among the events and guests are Barbara McQueen, widow of Steve McQueen and a performance by musician Jordan Zevon. Both Steve McQueen and Jordan’s father Warren Zevon, a noted rock musician, died of mesothelioma and the truly scary thing is that while McQueen suspected it happened during his days as a Marine, neither of the men was ever sure where they’d ever been exposed to asbestos.
Their examples illustrate both the seriousness of the matter and the level of vigilance and care that must be taken when it comes to asbestos exposure. That’s currently a big issue for the residents of Gillam, Manitoba, who found out recently that their town’s community dump site is home to tonnes of waste that come from a former air force station in Northern Ontario.
Among the debris left via an agreement between the town’s council and the contractor who completed the demolition is 410 tonnes of asbestos. Officials insist that the material is in pellet form, i.e. non-friable and therefore not inhalable or a danger to public health. The material is contained in plastic bags marked “Caution, Danger, Cancer-causing lung disease agents”.
Despite the assurances, residents have taken photos of bags with clear rips and a grey powdery substance seeping out of them, and are looking for more answers.
If your home was built before 1970, there’s a good chance it contains asbestos in some form too, and it may show up in a wide variety of places including insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, roofing, pipe insulation and more. The material is considered safe as long as it’s intact, but damage or deterioration can produce friable asbestos, or particles that can be inhaled – with a deadly potential.
Get peace of mind from GreenStream Environmental, where we can offer a home inspection and asbestos removal or abatement services as required. Don’t fool around with something so dangerous – call GreenStream today.
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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