Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous mineral silicates. It is common to find asbestos in buildings built between the 1950’s and the late 1980’s. These several types of fibres are thin, long, flexible, strong and durable. As a heat- and fire-resistant substance it was used as an insulator in various consumer, industrial, automotive and construction products. Although it has been banned for use in many nations, many older buildings might still make use of it, due to having been built before the ban. As a rule of thumb, if your building was built before 1992, you should consider having it tested and all potential materials sampled and analyzed before any renovation or demolition occurs.
Fine, light asbestos fibres may remain suspended in the air for long periods of time if disturbed. There is little risk of fibre release if asbestos-containing materials are in good condition and not disturbed. However, asbestos becomes a hazard if it is in poor condition, handled, sanded, drilled, broken up or crumbled. This causes the release of fine, light asbestos-contaminated air which is a dangerous carcinogen and exposure may cause serious or fatal diseases. Prolonged inhalation can lead to scarring, inflammation and other serious problems such as:
- Asbestosis
- Lung cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Pleural thickening
In homes, offices, and other buildings, asbestos can be found just about anywhere. Asbestos was used in over 3000 common building materials, including:
- Drywall mudding compound
- Vermiculite
- Linoleum
- Floor tiles
- Asbestos cement board and tiles
- Asbestos cement pipes
- Textured decorative coating
- Spray applied fireproofing insulation
- Mechanical insulation
- And much more
Can I collect samples and bring them to a laboratory or do you have to come on site to collect them?
It is recommended to hire a certified professional to collect samples from your property as some authorities such as WorkSafeBC and City Halls require hazmat report in addition to laboratory results.
A Hazmat report is required by WorkSafeBC regulation before any demolition or renovation work can begin. It shows what types of hazardous materials exist in the building. It will provide an overall assessment of the project, taking samples of suspect materials that may contain hazardous materials that MUST be removed prior to initiation of any demolition or renovation work.
Do not disturb the area by doing any renovation or demolition until all asbestos is removed. Asbestos is not harmful if the building materials are intact and in good shape. If you are planning a renovation or demolition, please contact a qualified abatement contractor such as Clean Demo and Construction corp.