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       Sandblasting is becoming a thing of the past due to its harmful effects on the environment. However, a new, safer medium is taking its place.
       “Sandblasting is essentially sandblasting, but all the types of abrasives we use are eco-friendly,” said Troy Stelmach, owner of Eco Media Blasting.
       ”We decided to use only environmentally friendly materials because sandblasting is very harmful to the environment. As for the sand itself, they use quartz sand, which is very harmful to breathe. People who use these materials will have breathing problems.”
       There are several different mediums that can be used, including corn cobs, walnut shells, recycled glass, and baking soda (commonly known as soda blasting).
       This method was originally invented in New York. Engineers tried to clean the Statue of Liberty, but were concerned about the environmental impact and the need to protect the statue’s appearance. They came up with sandblasting.
       ”The bottom line is that the Department of Environmental Protection does not allow sandblasting near waterways. Essentially, you don’t want to sandblasting near populations,” Stellmacher said.
       Soda/medium blasting can achieve the same results as sandblasting. Eco Media Blasting can handle countless jobs including automotive restoration, aircraft cleaning, agricultural and industrial equipment cleaning, mold removal, graffiti removal, and flood and fire recovery.
       ”I really specialize in log home restoration. There are a lot of different applications for sandblasting, but that’s what I try to focus on. And I offer a full service. I can paint it after sandblasting, and I can seal it,” Stelmach said.
       Stellmacher has been sandblasting for several years, initially working for someone in Alberta.
       ”I met a guy who was doing it and I started working for him and helping him. That’s where it all started. He was too busy in Alberta to come to B.C. So he sold me his surplus equipment and I started a business in B.C.,” he said.
       He has been running the business for a year now, with operations throughout British Columbia and western Alberta.
       ”There are probably three other companies in B.C. in the markets I’m targeting. But there aren’t any in this region, the Kootenay region or the Columbia Valley,” Stelmach said.