Fix Our Schools Wants Province to Address Mould, Asbestos Issues

Get rid of asbestos and mould in our schools. That’s the goal of Fix Our Schools, a grassroots organization that is putting pressure on the provincial government to address the often shocking state of our schools.

They are asking the Ontario government to put aside $1.7 billion to “to fix the critical and urgent disrepair…that exists in our children’s schools,” according to a statement made by the group.

The group claims there is already a $1.5 billion backlog in maintenance and repairs. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has confirmed about $3.3 billion in needed repairs. Among the specific points mentioned:

• Water damage is very common in many schools, leading to mould from chronic leaky roofs;
• Crumbling, poorly maintained buildings are subject to asbestos “leaks” – where deteriorating or damaged materials release asbestos fibres into the air.

A Serious Issue
Nearly a quarter of the TDSB’s 591 schools are considered to be in critical condition. The situation is particularly troubling in that children (along with seniors) are especially prone to suffering the health effects of both mould exposure and asbestos exposure.

In the case of mould, symptoms can include:

• Nose, throat and eye irritation;
• Respiratory issues, including worsened asthma and allergies;
• Flu-like symptoms.

When it comes to asbestos, the health effects may not be felt for decades to come but they include lung disease and lung cancers, including deadly mesothelioma.

We Can Help
Years of cutbacks have left Ontario’s schools in a poor state of disrepair. As a property owner, you can make the difference by addressing these very common issues. Proper maintenance is essential to preventing water damage and mould.

When it comes to asbestos, the material is considered safe when intact. However, asbestos used in older homes is already decades old and the other materials often mixed with it – such as concrete – are prone to deterioration at this point.

If you have a problem with mould or asbestos in your home, you can trust the experienced mould removal technicians and asbestos removal experts at GreenStream Environmental to take care of the issue for you. 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.