WHAT YEAR DID THEY STOP USING ASBESTOS IN CANADA?
Do you know if your home or business contains asbestos? In Canada, asbestos was widely used in construction and other materials until the late 1970s to early 1980s. In 1976, it was banned for use in insulation and fireproofing due to its known health risks. Products that contain asbestos were restricted further in the 1980s when the Canadian government started banning certain uses of asbestos as part of their “Asbestos Control Policy”. If you own or spend time in a structure that was built during these time periods, it is worth looking into whether or not asbestos abatement might be a good idea for you.
WHAT IS ASBESTOS AND WHY IS IT DANGEROUS?
Asbestos is a mineral with long, thin fibres that can be divided into two main types, serpentine or amphibole. Asbestos has been used extensively in the past because it was thought to be fireproof and was resistant to chemical attack. Unfortunately, asbestos fibre inhalation has been linked to many serious illnesses such as pulmonary fibrosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Although asbestos related diseases take a long time to manifest (from 10-40 years), it is important to know if your home or business contains any asbestos so that you can take steps towards its removal before any health risks arise.
WHEN DID CANADA ELIMINATE USE OF ASBESTOS COMPLETELY?
By 1990, all forms of manufacturing with asbestos had been banned or severely limited throughout Canada, although some exceptions do exist for industries such as the automotive industry where there is no alternative available. The final ban on asbestos and all products containing it was put into effect by Health Canada in 2018.
Despite this comprehensive ban, some provinces do still allow existing asbestos-containing products to remain in use until they need to be replaced or removed due to safety concerns. As such, asbestos related health risks and illnesses are still a problem in Canada today.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT ASBESTOS
It is important that people understand the dangers of asbestos exposure and take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their families from potential harm. Those who live in an area where asbestos was heavily used should take extra measures to ensure their living environment is safe for everyone. Additionally, if you suspect you may have been exposed to asbestos, it’s important that you seek medical attention immediately as many of the associated illnesses can be treated successfully if caught early enough.
Overall, due to the comprehensive ban on all forms of asbestos, the use of this hazardous material is significantly reduced in Canada and its related health risks are slowly but surely being eliminated. It is important to remember, however, that despite the ban, some products and environments may still contain traces of asbestos, so it is essential that everyone remain vigilant when it comes to their safety.
The complete ban on all forms of asbestos in Canada has been an important step towards protecting public health, but there is still more work to be done. Everyone can do their part by educating themselves about the dangers posed by asbestos and taking necessary precautions to ensure they limit their exposure as much as possible. By following these simple steps, we can continue to reduce the number of people affected by asbestos related illnesses each year.
