Toronto High School Closed Over Asbestos

Students at a Toronto Catholic high school were sent home after tests showed the presence of asbestos.

The situation began with maintenance work on the swimming pool and change rooms at the school east of the downtown area. The first round of testing found asbestos on the tile grout in the change rooms. While it wasn’t a significant amount of asbestos dust, it led to a second round of testing of the school’s ventilation system. Four of the school’s air ducts came back positive for asbestos.

The finding is significant: it’s airborne – or friable – asbestos that is dangerous. It can be inhaled, where it remains in the lining of the lungs and can lead to lung disease and even deadly mesothelioma years down the road.

Where Did It Come From?
The school responded appropriately. Not only did they temporarily close the school in order to clean all the air ducts, but they ordered a further round of air quality tests to determine whether any more asbestos was airborne. Students have been moved to another school while testing continues.

Where did the asbestos dust come from?

Older buildings may contain asbestos in many forms and formulations and in many places, including:

• Vermiculite insulation
• Pipe and plumbing insulation
• Ceiling and floor tiles
• Wall panels
• Window and door caulking

It seems clear that the maintenance or renovation work disturbed some existing asbestos containing material that then found itself airborne and making its way through the school. That’s exactly the process you want to avoid.

We Can Help
If your home was built before the 1980’s, chances are it contains asbestos in one form or another and routine repairs and renovations can disturb the material and endanger your health and that of your family.

At GreenStream, our experienced asbestos technicians can offer advice and either asbestos removal or asbestos remediation to safely take any potential hazard out of your way for good. In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414(416) 818-9414. Contact us for a quote today.

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 416-818-9414416-818-9414.  You’ll be glad you did.