The Cowichan Valley Regional District has launched an asbestos-awareness campaign to increase the public’s knowledge of the health risks associated with asbestos exposure.
Two out of three Cowichan homes were built before 1990 when asbestos was commonly used in construction, making asbestos exposure a real risk when renovating.
Asbestos can be found in walls, ceilings, plumbing, wiring, light fixtures and more.
Staff at the regional district’s recycling centre have been trained to identify asbestos material.
Contaminated material is brought to the centre many times a week, often by residents who are unaware they are dealing with a potentially deadly material.
“The summer is a busy season for asbestos as the warm weather encourages home renovations,” said Tauseef Waraich, manager of recycling and waste management.
“Unfortunately, many homeowners are not familiar with asbestos and in which materials it can be found.”
Waraich said renovations can disturb asbestos material and release asbestos fibres into the air.
He said the fibres can stay suspended in the air for hours and even days, putting everyone who comes into contact with it at risk.
The CVRD’s education campaign, which includes web and print information for homeowners, will target homeowners before they renovate.
Waraich said the goal is for people to become asbestos aware and take the necessary steps to ensure it is handled safely by a reliable asbestos-abatement company before any renovation projects begin. “The cost of doing it right is a small price to pay when buying or renovating a house to protect everyone you care about, and many you have never met,” he said.
Check out www.cvrd.ca/asbestos for more information.