Background

Until 1972, most of the buildings in this country were constructed with asbestos, including schools, offices and homes. At the time, no one had any idea that when inhaled asbestos was deadly. Today, people and asbestos precariously coexist in old buildings. When asbestos is disturbed, it becomes a health threat to human beings.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that was used commonly in buildings for insulation. Asbestos fibres are exceptionally strong and are resistant to heat. Asbestos is commonly found in ceiling tiles, flooring and pipes.

Asbestos becomes a danger when it’s disturbed, causing the fibres to become airborne.

This is commonly referred to as friable asbestos, while intact asbestos is referred to as non-friable asbestos.

Friable asbestos has become airborne and the human lungs are now susceptible to breathing in the airborne fibres. Research has yet to determine a safe level of exposure to asbestos, but one thing is for certain; the more prolonged the exposure, the greater the risk becomes for developing an asbestos related disease.