Asbestos remediation, encapsulation and removal

Can you safely live and work with asbestos? The answer is a pretty ambivalent, “maybe, sometimes…”

Late last month, the DND (Department of National Defense) recently made headlines – but not for any military maneuvers. Media attention came from the fact that the DND moved about 500 staff members into a building that is known to contain asbestos.

In question is the National Printing Bureau Building in Gatineau and staff are expected to move in by the end of the summer. The move comes about as the result of a fire that occurred in another building, forcing the DND to find other accommodations for nearly 2,000 workers in total.

Officials rushed to announce that the workers would not be put at risk. Lt.-Cmdr. Lora Collier explained to the Ottawa Citizen. “It is contained and encapsulated and does not pose a threat to employees. There is no associated health or safety risk to employees who may be relocated to work in that building.”

But what does that mean?

Asbestos encapsulation
Asbestos is said to be fairly common in aging DND buildings. It’s certainly not uncommon for governments the world over to choose to try and contain asbestos rather than incur the often considerable expense of asbestos removal from large public buildings.

• Important: Do NOT attempt to encapsulate asbestos yourself. Only an asbestos remediation technician can determine whether asbestos removal or encapsulation is the best course of action.

Large public buildings present their own set of issues, but in your home, the safest course of action is generally asbestos removal.

• In the case of encapsulated or otherwise contained asbestos, regular vigilance is the key to safety. In the case of the federal government, buildings are inspected on an annual basis. We’d suggest twice a year or more, along with a close examination of any encapsulated areas anytime they have ben affected by events such as flooding or inadvertent damage.
• Remember that anything that disturbs or damages asbestos or asbestos containing materials can create deadly asbestos dust. This can include anything from fire and floods to renovations.

Let Us Help
If you suspect the presence of asbestos in your home, you can’t afford to cut corners or “save money” while you damage your health and that of your family if the material is disturbed in any way. You can trust the experienced asbestos removal experts 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.