Asbestos Detection: Are you at risk?

In Canada, the use of asbestos in building materials has declined sharply since the early 1980s. However, it is very hard to tell just by looking whether building materials contain asbestos or not. There is always the possibility that a home built before 1980 contains asbestos in some form. So, before undertaking any work on your home, it is a good idea to have it tested by asbestos detection professionals. This will give you an accurate idea of your level of risk. And hiring a professional can definitely minimize asbestos exposure for you and your family.

Asbestos was formerly used in Canadian homes in a variety of materials, from old floor and ceiling tiles to wall joint compound, roof shingles, siding, and insulation around boilers, pipes, and ducts. There is also a chance that vermiculite attic insulation could be contaminated with asbestos.

Limiting exposure in the home

According to Health Canada’s online fact sheet on the health risks of asbestos, the first step in reducing your risk of exposure is to hire a professional to test for asbestos before doing any renovations, such as remodeling, demolition, or building an addition.

If asbestos is found in your home, Health Canada's recommendation is to avoid disturbing the materials yourself and to hire a qualified asbestos removal specialist to get rid of it. Always check with your provincial or territorial workplace safety authorities to find out the qualifications or certifications required in your area for asbestos detection, containment, and removal specialists.

Checking for asbestos in your home

It bears repeating that a visual inspection of your home is not adequate for asbestos detection. To definitively confirm or disprove the presence of asbestos in your building materials, samples need to be sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis.

Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) are two approved methods of analysis. A professional skilled in asbestos detection knows how and where to take samples while minimizing exposure.

What to do if asbestos is detected in your home

Rest assured. Asbestos materials in good condition are unlikely to release fibres when left undisturbed. Asbestos only becomes a hazard when airborne. For example, if you drill or patch an old popcorn ceiling, you risk releasing asbestos fibres into the air.

What’s more, if ceilings containing asbestos are in very poor condition, just using a ceiling fan or opening and closing your curtains could spread asbestos dust. Breathing in asbestos fibres can lead to serious lung diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.

If asbestos is detected in your home, the containment or removal method depends on the location and the condition of the material, and whether it is friable or not. Friable means the material easily crumbles and releases asbestos fibres into the air. Non-friable asbestos fibres cannot easily be made airborne unless they are sanded, pierced, or cut. Material containing asbestos in good condition means the fibres are contained and the material is not currently dangerous.

The only permanent solution to problems caused by the presence of asbestos in your home is removal. There is a high risk of fibre release, though, if removal is not done properly. That means it is important to choose a qualified professional who is certified to do asbestos abatement work. To avoid creating a safety hazard during removal, the contractor should use protective disposable clothing, specialized equipment, and advanced removal methods.

If you are concerned about the possibility of asbestos in your home, remember, the first step in ensuring your family's safety is hiring qualified professionals to carry out thorough asbestos detection and analysis. And a good way of ensuring your new home doesn’t have asbestos is to buy a recently constructed or a preconstruction home!

By Judith Brown