The word “asbestos” can be scary. However, the reality is that asbestos is present in Canada in many residential, commercial, and institutional buildings. By demystifying asbestos, we want to shed light on this often-well-hidden material, which is nevertheless part of our lives, even when we don’t suspect it.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos refers to several minerals composed of fibers that are found naturally in rock formations. These fibers have the great advantage of being flexible and durable. They have general insulating properties (thermal, electrical, and acoustic), as well as heat-insulating properties; and they are resistant to fire and decay.
Asbestos has long been considered an ideal product. It has long been referred to as “white gold”.
Due to its characteristics and low cost, asbestos has been used in a number of materials, especially in the construction, textile, and industrial fields (in friction, packaging, and other). Without always us knowing it, asbestos fibers have found their way in a large variety of the products from our daily lives… However, no need to panic!
What are the health risks?
Asbestos fibers represent a health hazard when they are volatile. Because asbestos can crumble, the fibers can end up as dust in the air. It is the inhalation of these asbestos fibers that represents the main health risk. The effects of long-term exposure to asbestos are varied, but mainly affect the lungs. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) can provide information on the health effects of asbestos.
It is during the production of material containing asbestos or during renovations on materials containing asbestos – in short, when asbestos dust is released – that the risk of inhalation is present.
According to CCOHS:
“There are no significant health risks if the materials containing asbestos in your home or work are:
- Tightly bound in the original product, and it is in good condition.
- Sealed behind walls and floorboards.
- Isolated in the attic.
- Left undisturbed.”
If your home contains asbestos, for example, in insulation or gypsum board, there is no significant risk of exposure to asbestos dust as long as these materials remain intact.
Construction workers are most at risk of being exposed to asbestos dust. The removal of interior siding (plaster, stucco, insulation, etc.) containing asbestos, or the cutting and drilling of vinyl tiles containing asbestos, are examples where workers may be at risk.
Where can asbestos be found?
In Quebec and Ontario, homes built and renovated between 1940 and 1990 are likely to contain one or more materials made from asbestos fibers.
Asbestos may have been added when these materials were manufactured, or it may be just found naturally. These materials can be:
- Heat insulators.
- Fiber cement materials (exterior cladding panels, soffit panels, pipes, etc.).
- Plaster, stucco, roughcast and other decorative finishes.
- Cement-backed vinyl floor tiles and their adhesives.
- Ceiling tiles and their adhesives and suspended ceiling panels.
- Gypsum board and joint compounds.
- Roofing asphalt shingles and roofing felt.
- Various insulation (boiler, ventilation duct) and vermiculite insulation.
The presence of asbestos is rarely indicated on the product containing it.
What to do in the presence of asbestos
The presence of asbestos can be scary, but there is no need to panic. The important thing is to know what you are dealing with.
Safe asbestos management begins with the identification and sampling by a team of professionals. Lab results will make it possible to know if the contamination is problematic or not, and to know the extent of the work required for a potential decontamination.
A buyer, for example, may very well decide to buy a property containing asbestos, knowing that the materials containing it are not volatile, or by having a decontamination protocol done in anticipation of a potential refit (such as replacing insulation or floors when the time comes).
There are no laws in Canada requiring homeowners to remove asbestos-containing materials, but if you suspect that materials in your house may contain asbestos, we recommend having the identification and sampling done so you can fully understand the level of contamination and be ready for safe asbestos management in the event of a refit.
To learn more about our asbestos characterization and decontamination protocol services, and for costs estimate, contact us!