Ontario Developer Fined $125K in Asbestos Case

A Western Ontario property developer was fined $125,000 – including a $25,000 victim fine – for failing to properly dispose of asbestos at the former Grace Hospital in Windsor, Ontario.

In fact, the developer submitted a consultant report on the site in 2011 prior to demolition. The report claimed the site was abestos-free but the Ministry of the environment and Climate Change did a little digging and found evidence in historical documents of asbestos containing materials and laid the charges that resulted in the recent conviction and fine.

The government inspectors were right to question a finding of no asbestos. The former hospital was built decades ago when asbestos was used in a wide variety of applications in both residential and institutional construction. What we now know can cause incurable lung disease and cancers was once thought of as a miracle material and not without reason – it’s fire resistant, water resistant and nearly indestructible. It wasn’t until decades after it first came into general use in the early 20th century that its effects on human health were discovered as workers and others who had come into contact with it began to fall sick.

Asbestos in Your Home
If your home was built before the mid-1980’s, it’s almost certain to contain asbestos or asbestos containing materials (also called ACM) in one form or another. It can show up almost anywhere from floor to ceiling – literally – including:

• Ceiling tiles – including acoustic tiles
• Floor tiles – often in a vinyl mixture
• Roofing and siding materials
• Wall panels
• Textured paints
• Window and door caulking

It’s considered safe as long as it is intact but aging materials can deteriorate over time no matter what the conditions.

• Renovations – like demolition – poses a significant risk of damaging asbestos and ACM and creating breathable fibres.

Shady Contractors
Add shady contractors to the mix and homeowner anxiety can certainly be justified. How do you ensure the health of you and your family – and be sure that the company you’ve hired is going to do the job right?

We can help.

We have many satisfied customers and years of expertise. Our experienced technicians offer professional, certified services to help you deal with environmental issues, including

• Asbestos removal
• Asbestos remediation

In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (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 416-818-9414. You’ll be glad you did.