Globe and Mail Feature on Asbestos

On December 15, 2014, the Globe and Mail ran an excellent feature on asbestos. Asbestos is still widely prevalent in building materials, particularly in buildings constructed in the 1980s or earlier. Mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure, is the most common cause of workplace deaths in Canada. Once diagnosed, victims of mesothelioma are typically given six months to a year to live. The feature emphasizes the importance of testing for asbestos prior to undertaking any renovation and the importance of proper abatement procedures. The article correctly notes that paper masks are not adequate to protect against the risk of exposure and that special respirators must be worn.