What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that was widely used in Canadian home construction from the 1920s to the late 1980s due to its durability, fire resistance, and insulating properties. However, it was later found to pose serious health risks when its fibers become airborne and are inhaled, leading to lung diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. The use of asbestos was phased out in Canada and banned in most construction materials by the late 1980s.

Common Areas Asbestos is Found in Homes:

If your home was built before 1990, you may want to consider testing for asbestos in the following areas before undertaking any renovations:

1. Insulation: Asbestos was commonly used in attic and wall insulation, particularly in vermiculite insulation (such as Zonolite).
2. Flooring: Vinyl floor tiles, adhesives, and backing materials often contained asbestos.
3. Ceiling Tiles: Popcorn ceilings (spray-on textured ceilings) frequently contained asbestos.
4. Roofing and Siding: Some asphalt roofing shingles, felt, and siding materials contained asbestos.
5. Plaster, Cement, and Drywall: Older homes may have asbestos in the plaster, drywall joint compounds, and cement sheets.
6. Pipes and Boilers: Asbestos was also used to insulate pipes, boilers, and furnaces.

Health Concerns:

If you suspect asbestos in your home, it’s important not to disturb any materials that may contain it, as this can release harmful fibers into the air. Asbestos is generally not dangerous when left undisturbed. The primary concern arises when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, as they release tiny fibers into the air that can remain airborne for a long time. Once inhaled, these fibers can become lodged in the lungs, causing long-term health problems, including cancer. For this reason, asbestos abatement is a major concern during home renovations, demolitions, or repairs.

How to Test for Asbestos

Fortunately, testing for asbestos can be relatively quick and inexpensive. Here's how the process works:

1. Hire a Certified Asbestos Professional: It’s always best to have a licensed professional inspect and test for asbestos. They will take necessary precautions to collect samples safely without releasing fibers into the air.
2. Sample Collection: The professional will gather samples from any materials suspected to contain asbestos (e.g., insulation, tiles, or drywall) and send them to a lab for analysis. They will use protective gear and proper equipment to ensure safety during collection.
3. Laboratory Testing: The samples are tested in an accredited lab to confirm the presence of asbestos fibers. Results are typically returned in a few days.
4. Receive Results and Recommendations: If asbestos is detected, the professional will explain the findings and provide guidance on whether it’s safer to leave the material undisturbed or if removal is necessary. If removal is recommended, a licensed asbestos abatement company can safely handle the process.

Can You Test for Asbestos Yourself?

Although DIY asbestos test kits are available, improper handling during sample collection can disturb asbestos fibers, which increases risk. For safety reasons, it’s best to leave testing to a certified professional who can handle it without putting anyone’s health at risk.

Regulations in Canada

Ban on Asbestos: As of 2018, Canada implemented a full ban on the use, sale, import, and export of asbestos-containing materials.

Asbestos Removal: If asbestos is found in a home, it should be removed by a licensed asbestos abatement professional. Homeowners and renovators are strongly discouraged from attempting to handle asbestos on their own due to the associated health risks.

Key Takeaways

Asbestos was a widely used material in Canadian homes due to its insulating and fire-resistant properties, but it has since been recognized as a serious health hazard when disturbed. Although it was largely phased out of construction materials by the late 1980’s, homes built before that time may still contain asbestos. If your home was built before 1990, it’s important to be aware of where asbestos may be present and how to handle it safely. While asbestos is not dangerous when left undisturbed, it becomes hazardous when fibers are released into the air during renovations or repairs. Professional testing is the safest way to identify asbestos, and if found, a licensed abatement team should handle its removal.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your home remains a safe and healthy environment, whether you're planning renovations or simply maintaining an older property.