Asbestos News

After a lengthy court battle, the city of Castlegar in British Columbia, Canada, has received approval to tear down the City Centre Motel, which is located in the downtown area, according to the Castlegar Source.

Mayor Lawrence Chernoff explained that it could take between three and four weeks to remove all of the hazardous material, including asbestos, from the site. Once that is completed, he added that the building can be razed relatively quickly.

The demolition process was approved after a decision by the British Columbia Court of Appeals upheld a previous court decision that enabled the city to tear down the building, which is reportedly in a state of disrepair.

Chernoff said he was pleased that the court battle was finally over and that the asbestos removal and demolition processes would begin right away. He added that the price tag for the complete demolition could be between $140,000 and $150,000.

Properly handling and removing is asbestos is critical prior to demolition projects as the deadly mineral fibers can become airborne if they are loosened during such work. The inhalation of these fibers can lead to the development of asbestosis, malignant mesothelioma or lung cancer.