A significant portion of Continental Insulation's activity involves asbestos consulting and remediation/removal.  Asbestos was used in a wide variety of construction materials and applications until it was banned in Canada in the early/mid 1970's.  Virtually every building constructed prior to the ban contains asbestos in some form.  Some typical areas where asbestos is found in buildings:

• Boiler Units and Piping

• Floor Tiles

• Ceiling Tiles

• Drywall Joint Compound

• Exterior Shingles

• Fibre Board

• Exterior Siding

• Attic Vermiculite Insulation (residential)

We are often asked why asbestos is so pervasive when it is so dangerous to humans.  Part of the answer comes from the word “asbestos” itself which means “unquenchable” (Greek).  Asbestos is a variety of hydrated silicate – basically a form of mineral occurring naturally in metamorphic rock formations.  It is mined, milled and reduced to a fibrous form which can be used in many materials.  Asbestos has a number of key properties that made it attractive:

• It doesn't burn

• It doesn't corrode

• It has good thermal, acoustical and electrical insulating properties

• It is a very flexible fibre and easy to use in a variety of products

• It is very strong

It was deemed the 'miracle fibre' as it is truly indestructible.