Asbestos is the leading cause of workplace fatalities in the last decade in Saskatchewan, at 23 per cent of the 388 deaths accepted by the WCB.

The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board says the fibres are invisible, so people can inhale them without even knowing it. That’s why if you were planning on doing some renovations and the building was built before 1990, you should hire a professional abatement team to identify and remove asbestos from your home or business .

Kevin Mooney explains that these fibres getting into your lungs can cause asbestosis and increases your risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma. The diseases are usually diagnosed years after the exposure.

Some common building materials that may contain the harmful fibre are plaster, pipe insulation, popcorn ceiling, floor tiles and acoustic ceiling tiles.