Asbestos Testing

 

Are you concerned about the presence of Asbestos in your home?  Before you purchase your next home and want to undertake a renovation project, it is very important to determine if asbestos is contained within your building materials.  Breathing in Asbestos fibers can put you at a significant risk for cancer and other diseases. 

 

I am trained, certified and experienced at collecting asbestos samples for laboratory analysis to determine the level and type of asbestos present. Let me ensure your home and families health are sound by doing an asbestos assessment and testing for you.  I am able to obtain bulk samples of material prior to a renovation to identify what materials contain asbestos and I also offer air sampling for asbestos after a renovation has been completed to make sure the air you are breathing in doesn't contain any residual asbestos left behind from a renovation which could be harmful to you and your family.

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What Is Asbestos?

 

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of soft and flexible fibers that are resistant to heat, electricity and corrosion. These qualities make the mineral useful, but they also make asbestos exposure highly toxic.

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Asbestos is an effective insulator, and it can be used in cloth, paper, cement, plastic and other materials to make them stronger. But when asbestos dust is inhaled or ingested, mineral fibers can become permanently trapped in the body.

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Over decades, trapped asbestos fibers can cause inflammation, scarring and eventually genetic damage. A rare and aggressive cancer called mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos also causes other forms of cancer as well as progressive lung disease.

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Types of Asbestos

 

The term asbestos refers to six fibrous minerals that occur naturally throughout the world.

• Chrysotile

• Tremolite

• Crocidolite

• Amosite

• Anthophyllite

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The most widely used type of asbestos is chrysotile. It accounts for approximately 95 percent of asbestos used around the world.

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Asbestos fibers are naturally resistant to heat, fire, electricity and chemicals. These properties made it an ideal additive in products to prevent fire and chemical corrosion.

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Government of Canada

 

The Government of Canada recognizes that breathing in asbestos fibers can cause cancer and other diseases which is why they officially banned all products containing asbestos in 2003. The Government is taking action by implementing regulations to help protect Canadians from asbestos exposure.

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Asbestos minerals have historically been used to make products strong, long-lasting and fire-resistant. Before 1990, asbestos was mainly used for insulating buildings and homes against cold weather and noise. It was also used for fireproofing. Industry, construction and commercial sectors have used asbestos in products like:

• cement, plaster and drywall joint compound

• industrial furnaces and heating systems

• building insulation

• floor and ceiling tiles

• house siding and exterior stucco

• stipple and textured ceilings

• shingles

• floor leveling compound

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