Is There Asbestos in Your “Dream Home”?

It’s spring and a time of year that many people start to think about looking for a new home, whether that’s “brand new” or “new to you”. Certainly, there are advantages – and disadvantages – to newer and older homes alike that go beyond the structures to the neighbourhoods and surroundings. Many people are attracted to mature, older neighbourhoods with tree-lined streets and established infrastructure.

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Asbestos In Your Home

Asbestos was so widely incorporated in both residential and industrial construction at one time (largely from the 1930’s to 1970) that it was used in areas you may not be expecting. Here’s a look at some of the lesser known places you might find it in an older home.

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Asbestos in Roofing Materials

A U.S. based contractor was recently fined for directing his workers to illegally dispose of hazardous waste, including the burning of roof shingles containing asbestos. The shingles had come from a renovation project his company had completed.

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Asbestos in Your Windows

If you own an old house – with todays’ energy costs – it’s likely that one of the first renovation projects you’ve considered is replacing old windows. Before you start, and whether you decide to do it yourself or hire contractors, consider the asbestos risk. That’s right – in addition to the many other uses for asbestos you may already be aware of in your home, it can also be found around your windows.

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Firefighters Evacuated From Fire House Due to Asbestos Exposure

Firefighters routinely expose themselves to danger in the effort to save lives and property, including the knowledge that they may be exposed to asbestos when their work takes them into older structures. It’s an expected part of the job. What they don’t expect, however, is to be exposed to those kinds of risks in their very own house, but that’s just what happened recently in upstate New York.

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Canadian Red Cross Exec Ignites Controversy with Asbestos Industry Links

Business and personal relationships with links to the asbestos industry may lead the Canadian Red Cross Society to ask for the resignation of one of its Executive Board Members. Board Member Roshi Chandha hit the headlines earlier this month when anti-asbestos activists questioned the propriety of her serving with an organization known for its humanitarian work around the world.

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Asbestos, Vermiculite and Christmas Ornaments

Christmas is the time when people thrive on continuing family traditions. From Mom’s incredible gravy method to the star on the tree that’s been handed down for three generations, it’s a time to include the past in today’s celebrations. When it comes to those Christmas ornaments, however, there are a couple of things you should consider.

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