Asbestos Underground

Like the GTA, the Sarnia area of western Ontario has an industrial past that has left a legacy of asbestos related issues that continue to have consequences in the present day.

Centennial Park features an idyllic location on Sarnia Bay, but for the last three years or so, it’s been off limits. The soil was found to contain asbestos – particularly near a playground area – and was fenced off in 2013.

Remediation work will be completed in time for it to reopen this summer and unfortunately for residents, it won’t represent much of an improvement. The money spent – $3.3 million so far with another $5.5 million to come – went by and large to capping the asbestos contamination so that it is not released into the air and is therefore safe to use.

The park’s central lawn reopened last year but it won’t fully open until this summer, with a scheduled completion of all work by September.

At Issue
It’s one case in an area with an unfortunate reputation and history of asbestos debris and exposure, but the same issue can occur quite easily a lot closer to home: asbestos in the ground.

• Where does asbestos-laden debris come from? It may simply be part of the landfill. Prior to the mid-1980’s there was lax (or no) regulation on the use or disposal of asbestos, so older industrial properties may still have a nasty surprise lurking underneath the soil.

Anytime you are dealing with a property built on land where another structure previously stood, you have to ask pertinent questions.

• If the property was remediated, who performed the remediation?
• Was it a licensed, experienced team of techs such as we employ at GreenStream Environmental? Or was it a quick and dirty DIY operation with one-man, a backhoe and a waste bin?

Improper disposal of asbestos-laden waste and illegal dumping are huge issues nowadays – and that’s crazy. When it comes to asbestos, you have to be safe and not sorry.

It’s No Joke
Asbestos is a known health hazard. If you have asbestos in your home, the only way to proceed is with safety in mind. You can trust the experienced asbestos removal and asbestos remediation 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.