Asbestos News
Asbestos delays demolition of fire-damaged Vancouver building
The demolition of a fire-damaged housing structure in British Columbia has been delayed after asbestos was found at the site.A fire at the building in Vancouver killed three people in December, according to the Province. The owner of the property hired a demolition crew to tear it down but they found asbestos during the work.
WorkSafe B.C., an agency that promotes workplace safety and health in the province, received a report of the carcinogenic substance and ordered that the demolition work be halted.
An abundance of caution is necessary when it comes to razing buildings that contain asbestos as this type of work can lead to the disturbance of asbestos, allowing the fibers to become airborne. The inhalation of the deadly mineral fibers can cause a number of serious illnesses such as malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
The city had ordered that the building be torn down but the discovery of asbestos will change the schedule for the work.
"The timeline for finishing is subject to liaison with WorkSafe B.C., and moving forward with a plan that protects workers from this," Vancouver spokesperson Wendy Stewart told the news source.
3/10/11
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