The Pros and Cons of Asbestos Removal

The presence of asbestos in your home is a shocking, and potentially harmful, discovery. For most people, it creates an immediate feeling of being unsafe in the place where you should feel the most secure.

Asbestos is everywhere. It was used in the insulation of over 240,000 Canadian homes in previous decades, and many of those homes were in the Greater Toronto Area, and the material has since been proven to be hazardous to our health.

You should know that most of the cases of serious illnesses, like mesothelioma, that are associated with exposure to asbestos are generally found in people who handled this hazardous substance in its raw state, every day, in close quarters, for years and sometimes decades.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be concerned about asbestos, but it does mean that you shouldn’t hit the panic button just yet.

Before you take any drastic action and create further risks for your home and its occupants, review the pros and cons of asbestos removal and come up with a safe, sound plan that is based on your specific needs.

Pros of Asbestos Removal

Unlike mould removal, asbestos removal doesn’t require constant vigilance to keep it from reoccurring. If done properly, once asbestos is removed, it’s gone. You no longer have to worry about it if you want to perform any home renovations or upgrades.

Asbestos was a great insulating material that was widely used because of its fire-resistant properties, and you will lose some of that fire protection if asbestos insulation is replaced with another substance. For most people, this is no great loss, and it’s quickly mitigated by the peace of mind that comes with knowing this harmful substance is out of their house.

Cons of Asbestos Removal

The cost of removing asbestos is a consideration, but it’s nowhere near the top of the list. In many cases, the safest thing to do with asbestos is to leave well enough alone. Unless you have plans for immediate renovations, as long as asbestos fibres are undisturbed, you are perfectly safe. Asbestos fibres are only a danger when they’re airborne.

If the company you hire for asbestos removal in Toronto isn’t one with the expertise required to handle and safely dispose of this hazardous material, you can actually do more harm than good by trying to remove it. There is also the larger environmental concern of the safe handling and disposal of asbestos.

However, if you do have plans to upgrade your home, safe and effective asbestos abatement is a must. This is one area where you simply can’t cut corners, because it’s not just your family’s safety on the line – asbestos can be a serious environmental hazard once it has become unstable.

If you suspect the presence of asbestos in your Toronto home, the first step is to arrange for asbestos testing. Once you understand the scope of the problem, you can govern yourself accordingly.

Did you know?

An estimated 125 million people worldwide remain at risk of occupational exposure to asbestos.
See how Decon Environmental Remediation can help
26 Holtby Ave.
Brampton, ON
L6X 2M1

We’re always ready

Footer Contact Form
X