Asbestos Removal CALGARY
Asbestos Is harmful to your health
Living or working around asbestos should not be underestimated. Asbestos is a carcinogenic material that’s been linked to a wide range of life-threatening diseases including lung scarring, cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma if inhaled.
When left alone, asbestos is mostly harmless. However, asbestos can become dangerous when disturbed through repairs, renovations, or restoration.
Our certified professionals have decades of years experience with asbestos abatement, safely removing, and repairing dangerous asbestos-containing materials and asbestos fibres. We are the asbestos abatement experts in Calgary AB.
- Experienced team of IICRC certified asbestos removal technicians
- Adhere to the highest safety standards outlined by Alberta Health
- Air quality testing, asbestos testing, asbestos removal, asbestos abatement
- Available 24/7
- 100% success rate
- Customer satisfaction guaranteed
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral formed from strong heat and corrosion-resistant fibers. These naturally occurring minerals were used in residential and commercial building materials, and ranging in quantities from just over 1% to 100%.
It was highly regarded for its strength and insulating properties, but soon it became apparent that asbestos caused a variety of health issues.
Why is asbestos so dangerous?
The qualities that made asbestos fibres strong, flexible, and resistant to heat, corrosion, and electricity also made them highly toxic. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they become permanently trapped in the lung tissue and causing a variety of health problems.
Asbestos exposure is more dangerous when the person is exposed to a large quantity or small quantities over long periods of time. There is no way to remove these particles from the body or way to reverse the damages.
Single asbestos fiber is so small that it cannot be seen by the naked eye and is easily inhaled without even realizing it. If your home was built before the 1980s, there's a good chance your home or business contains asbestos fibers.
For more information about the dangers of asbestos, visit Health Canada.
asbestos-related diseases
Exposure to asbestos toxic fibers can have serious long-term health risks if inhaled or ingested and has been linked to several diseases.
The most serious of these is a type of cancer known as Mesothelioma which is almost exclusively linked to exposure to toxic asbestos materials. Other cancers linked to asbestos include ovarian cancer, lung cancer, and laryngeal cancer.
Other Asbestos Related Diseases
- Asbestosis
- Pleuritis
- Pleural Effusions
- Pleural Plaques
- Various Cancers
- Diffuse Pleural Thickening
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Atelectasis
Types of asbestos
There are 6 legal types of asbestos which fall into 2 categories: Amphibole and Serpentine.
- Crocidolite
- Amosite
- Anthophyllite
- Tremolite
- Actinolite
- Crysotile
Microscopic asbestos dust particles are nearly invisible and have no smell or taste and present a serious health and safety concern. The only way to detect asbestos is to have a sample analysed by a laboratory.
Where is ASBESTOS found?
While asbestos is most commonly found in thermal insulation, it can also be found in several other household & commercial construction materials including:
Common Places To Find Asbestos
- Ceiling Tiles
- Floor Tiles
- Attic Insulation
- Roof Shingles
- Textured Paint
- Spray-On Insulation
- HVAC Duct Insulation
- Some Siding Materials
- Vermiculite Insulation
Our asbestos abatement process
Asbestos Assessment & Testing
- Visual inspection of the area
- Air samples, air monitoring, and air quality test
- Testing to confirm the presence of asbestos
- Recommend options for removal
Prepare & Quarantine The Area
- Marking of hazardous material areas
- Section off contaminated areas and minimising risk factors
- Air ducts sealed & HVAC system turned off
Asbestos Removal Or Repair (Encapsulation / Enclosure)
- Use hand tools, wet methods, and other proper equipment to remove or repair the asbestos-containing materials.
- Affected materials are placed in disposable bags and safety sealed and removed.
De-contamination & Cleanup
- Special HEPA filter vacuums minimise the dispersion of hazardous materials
- Clearance air sampling performed
- Post-cleanup, removal of containment barriers
- Receive full completion report
Our Other Services
inspect for asbestos before starting
renovations Or demolition
It’s important to schedule a professional home inspection before beginning any home repairs or renovations.
Our trained and licensed professionals will test for the presence of asbestos and explain the risks, removal process, and treatment options.
Once the hazardous materials are safely removed from your residential or commercial property, we’ll provide a certificate confirming the job was successfully completed and all occupational health risks have been eliminated
What to do if you find asbestos?
What to do
What not to do
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Asbestos Removal FAQ's
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a generic name for minerals that are made up of fibers that are natural fire retardants. They do not burn easily and withstand heat well. Many types of these minerals have been mined throughout history, though not all types are equally dangerous or pose the same risks to human health. Put simply, asbestos refers to the six naturally occurring minerals that are made up of long, strong fibers that are resistant to heat and fire. Asbestos can be divided into two categories: Serpentine asbestos is commonly known as “Mermiculite” and Chrysotile asbestos is most widely used around the world.
Why was it so widely used around the world?
Asbestos was used because of its resistance to fire, heat, and electrical current. It also had insulating properties that made it valuable for many types of applications. Asbestos can be found in insulation material, stucco, concrete blocks, drywall joint compound, and other building materials. Because asbestos fibers are so small, breathable, and durable, they were widely used in the past. There are also theories that smoking may have played a part in increased asbestos exposure. The very fibers which make it so effective at protecting against fire can become harmful when inhaled or ingested.
How does asbestos affect human health?
When these naturally occurring minerals are broken up into microscopic fibers and released into the atmosphere, they can be inhaled or ingested and cause various types of cancers. These microscopic asbestos fibers stick to the lining of the lungs and irritate the tissues. Over long periods of time, this irritation can lead to scarring and inflammation which in turn can lead to cancerous tumors such as mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos as a young adult is more likely to lead to cancer than as an older person.
What does asbestos do to the human body?
Asbestos fibers can remain in any part of the lungs and remain lodged there for many years. These fibers cause scarring within the tissues and over time these damaged areas form tumors that invade other tissues and organs. When the disease has progressed, these tumors can reach various vital organs like the lungs or heart. This is why asbestos inhalation is linked to cancers like mesothelioma, as well as lung cancer, and other types of cancers.
Is there a difference between white and brown asbestos?
Yes, Chrysotile asbestos fibers are soft and curly whereas amphibole fibers are straight and needle-like due to their crystalline structure. Chrysotile asbestos fibers are more flexible and tend to be longer than amphibole fibers, which are stiffer and shorter.
Is it better to be exposed to white or brown asbestos?
The jury is still out about whether chrysotile asbestos is less harmful than amphibole types of asbestos. While there is no definitive answer yet, some say that amphibole asbestos fibers are more dangerous because they remain in the lungs longer and cause more damage over time
How can you be exposed to asbestos?
People can be exposed to asbestos fibers on a short-term basis by inhaling the dust during the installation or repair of products containing asbestos. They may also be exposed by working with it daily for long periods of time without proper protection, such as protective gear like gloves and masks. Finally, people who live in homes built before the 1970s may be exposed to asbestos fibers that have seeped into the surrounding soil and air due to deteriorating insulation or siding that contains asbestos.
Is there a safe level of asbestos exposure?
There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos because even low levels of exposure can cause cancer years down the road.
What countries is chrysotile asbestos found in?
Chrysotile asbestos can be found in Canada, parts of Europe and Asia, and other parts of the world where it has been mined or processed since the late 1800s. Countries that mine or industry asbestos still today include Russia, China, and Brazil.
What types of cancers does asbestos exposure lead to?
Asbestos inhalation leads to an increased risk of developing various types of cancers, including mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer that forms in the protective lining of various organs. It can affect the lungs, heart, and abdomen of people who have had prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, chronic coughing, and fatigue. Doctors treat mesothelioma by removing the tumor or using radiation or chemotherapy to shrink or halt the growth of tumors.
What is mesothelioma?
This cancer forms in the protective lining around major organs like the heart, lungs, and abdomen. Mesothelioma is known as an asbestos-related cancer because people who are exposed to asbestos fibers for prolonged periods of time have an increased risk of developing this type of cancer.
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough, and chest pain or tightness. People with advanced stages of this cancer may also experience swelling in their neck, arms, or legs due to fluid building up in the chest cavity around the lungs.
What are the treatments for mesothelioma?
Most people with mesothelioma undergo surgery to remove fluid buildup or tumors around the lungs, heart, or abdomen. Other types of therapy include radiation therapy and chemotherapy in which doctors administer drugs to shrink cancer cells or stop them from spreading in the body.
How is asbestos exposure treated?
Asbestos inhalation is not treatable once it has occurred, but symptoms associated with mesothelioma are treatable with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy depending on the location and extent of tumors in the body.