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4 Facts about Vermiculite

Many of today’s buildings have been insulated with vermiculite. This is a natural mineral that responds to heat by expanding, making it an effective and popular insulator. Unfortunately, many types of vermiculite insulation also contain natural amphibole asbestos. While the percentage of asbestos contained in vermiculite may be relatively low, it still presents a very real risk to the occupants of any building insulated with this material. Familiarize yourself with vermiculite by reading these facts.

1. Vermiculite has a wide range of applications. While primarily used as insulation, vermiculite can be found in many different structures in commercial and residential settings. A thorough asbestos inspection of your building can help determine if the vermiculite in your structure is dangerous and needs to be removed.

2. Vermiculite releases asbestos when disturbed. Vermiculite insulation or filling that contains asbestos is very light weight and readily releases airborne particles of asbestos. While contained vermiculite insulation greatly lessens this risk, it is very important to have your structure inspected if you suspect you have been exposed to asbestos.

3. Impure vermiculite may be found in newer buildings. While pure vermiculite is said to be safe because it contains no asbestos, mines producing vermiculite were found to contain the dangerous mineral and other contaminants through the 1990s. Some of this vermiculite has found its way into the supplies of construction companies and from there into our buildings.

4. The health risks of contaminated vermiculite are serious. Fibrous or amphibole asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma. This form of cancer is predominately caused by asbestos inhalation, and the risk increases the longer you have been exposed. Asbestosis is a milder but no less dangerous effect of the mineral, causing scarring of the lungs which can eventually lead to lung cancer.

It is important to have vermiculite removed from your building for safety reasons. The experienced technicians at Belanger  Environmental are certified and insured in vermiculite and asbestos removal from residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Contact us at (519) 949-3322 or visit us online for more information.

What You Need to Know About Mould and Vermiculite

These articles and pages can help you understand why both mould and vermiculite can present real health dangers to you and your family if they’re inside your home. Visit these links and contact Belanger Environmental at (519) 949-3322 for more information.

• Familiarize yourself with the characteristics of mould and its health effects on this page from Toronto.ca.

• To learn more about preventing and controlling mould in the home, read this article from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

• To better understand why vermiculite-containing asbestos should be professionally removed from your home, head to Health Canada’s website.

• This page from LiveStrong.com details the dangers of vermiculite when homeowners are exposed over the long term.

• Get some important vermiculite questions answered on this page from WorkSafeBC.ca, and how to choose a qualified removal contractor.

Do you have asbestos in your home?

Commercial, residential, and industrial buildings insulated with asbestos or insulation containing asbestos will need professional attention to ensure that this dangerous material is safely removed from your building.   Belanger Environmental is a certified and insured company with the right skills, equipment, and training to safely remove asbestos. We can inspect your building for the presence of asbestos, and insulate or re-insulate after removal. We can also maintain your insulation to ensure that it is safe.   If you would like to learn more about safe asbestos removal, visit Belanger Environmental online or contact us at (519) 949-3322. You can obtain a free estimate when you call us or learn about our services in greater detail.

Tips for Keeping Your Home Mould-Free

Mould is an insidious fungal invader that can quickly take over a building due to its rapid growth. Mould has many negative effects to both the structure it inhabits and the occupants within. Mould is especially dangerous when it gains a foothold in your home.

The effects of mould may not be readily apparent, but over time it can cause damage to your home and present risks to your health. The key to controlling mould is controlling moisture. Unfortunately, our homes are full of substances mould can use for food, so it only takes excessive humidity to foster a mould colony.

Controlling Moisture in Your Home

Mitigating the levels of moisture in your home will help create an environment that is less conducive to mould growth. Air conditioners remove some of the humidity in our homes, but you may need a dehumidifier if your home experiences excessive moisture. Bathrooms, basements, and kitchens are prone to mould growth because of their naturally high relative humidity. Once it has gained a foothold in these areas, mould can quickly spread throughout your house.

Professional Mould Removal

If you suspect you have a mould issue in your home, contact an experienced mould removal service as soon as possible. They will be able to perform an inspection to determine the content of mould in your home. By using a professional mould removal company, you can trust that your home will be mould-free while obtaining valuable advice for keeping it that way.

By controlling the moisture levels in your home and enlisting the assistance of a mould removal service, you can help keep your home safe, comfortable, and mould-free. Contact Belanger Environmental at (519) 949-3322 if you are concerned that your home may be experiencing a mould infestation you can also schedule a service with us when you visit our website.

Mould Abatement Services for Commercial Buildings from Belanger Environmental

Belanger Environmental handles water damage issues every day and delivers complete mould abatement to Toronto and GTA residents. Prompt action is required to prevent mould growth. If your property has sustained recent water damage, it is vital to have the water removed and the structure dried promptly. It is important to react immediately, since the health of your employees can be badly affected by the growth of mould around your building or office.

Belanger offers an array of mould abatement and remediation services in Toronto. Our approach is based on facts and reality. We follow the leading provincial restoration protocols in order to return infected areas to safe, healthy environments. The best part is that we do it with a smile, and we take pride in the fact that we have been in the business for more than 10 years, and we have a long list of satisfied clients.