Many houses in Canada still contain asbestos in walls, roofs, and some other building materials. Asbestos is an element that has long been banned in industry but is still present in some old materials. Asbestos can have a very serious impact on health, and it is essential to carry out asbestos detection tests before investing in a home. Most modern homes are certified asbestos-free, but if you buy an old house or apartment that hasn’t been renovated since the 90s, then chances are there’s some asbestos in the walls, isolations, paints, or ceilings. Among the various inspection tests offered by HOMA Inspection, asbestos detection is a common demanded service.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a highly toxic material, and one may wonder why it was used in older building materials. The fact is that there were no studies at the time on the impact of this material on health. It was discovered a little late that asbestos could cause serious diseases, especially respiratory diseases by handling it or breathing it in dust. Asbestos refers to minerals whose texture is fibrous and offers many benefits. Indeed, these silicates have refractory and insulating characteristics. Asbestos is resistant to heat and fire, chemical aggression, and tension. It is an ideal binder that also has a consequent absorbent power. It is easy to imagine the happiness of the industrialists who discovered it at the beginning of the 19th century, however, it took them a long time to see the negative effects of this substance on health.
Asbestos is dangerous to health
Asbestos is a toxic product that can cause severe diseases. Indeed, studies conducted in the 90s by NIH (National Institute of Health and Medical Research) have shown that Chrysotile and Crocidolite, two substances present in asbestos, are highly carcinogenic.
This risk is accentuated by the fact that asbestos is a very friable material. Tiny particles can detach from it and reach the lung branches. Over the years, several types of cancer have been linked to asbestos: lung cancer, pleural cancer, and digestive cancers.
In addition, asbestosis is a disease resulting from contact with asbestos and causes chronic inflammation of the lungs.
Asbestos is just as harmful to the environment. Its impact on the fauna and flora is not negligible and requires taking precautions during its removal.
Prevent by detecting asbestos
As you have understood, it is strongly recommended to carry out tests before moving into a dwelling or commencing any renovation plan to verify that there is no asbestos in the building materials. HOMA Inspection undertakes to test the various materials that may contain asbestos and provide you with a detailed report with the possible solutions to replace them.
As a landlord, it is important to go through an asbestos removal process before renting your home, otherwise you will face legal circumstances.
For Asbestos testing and analysis, Contact us now!
