Asbestos Testing - Victoria BC | Hazardous Material Testing | Home & Commercial Buildings
Asbestos
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral that became popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century because of its sound absorption, average tensile strength, and its resistance to fire, heat, electrical and chemical damage. It can be positively identified only with a microscope.
What is the danger?
Asbestos is described as a hidden killer because it's impossible to identify without proper analysis. Asbestos fibres are extremely fine and can remain suspended in the air for hours.
Exposure is the danger
If not handled correctly, homeowners and workers are in danger of inhaling asbestos in the air.
Asbestos-related diseases
If an exposure occurs, serious chronic health problems such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer can occur. These diseases take years to develop and do not affect you immediately when you're exposed to asbestos. And it's too late for corrective treatment once these diseases have been diagnosed. You should protect yourself immediately.
Watch WorkSafeBC’s asbestos video on how exposure can occur and how asbestos-related disease can develop:
Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral that became popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century because of its sound absorption, average tensile strength, and its resistance to fire, heat, electrical and chemical damage. It can be positively identified only with a microscope.
What is the danger?
Asbestos is described as a hidden killer because it's impossible to identify without proper analysis. Asbestos fibres are extremely fine and can remain suspended in the air for hours.
Exposure is the danger
If not handled correctly, homeowners and workers are in danger of inhaling asbestos in the air.
Asbestos-related diseases
If an exposure occurs, serious chronic health problems such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer can occur. These diseases take years to develop and do not affect you immediately when you're exposed to asbestos. And it's too late for corrective treatment once these diseases have been diagnosed. You should protect yourself immediately.
Watch WorkSafeBC’s asbestos video on how exposure can occur and how asbestos-related disease can develop:
Where is asbestos found?
Asbestos was used in older homes until the late 1980s. More than 3,000 products containing asbestos were used in house construction, including:
Please see diagram at the bottom for more information regarding asbestos and where it may be located.
- Some roofing and siding shingles made of asbestos cement.
- Asbestos as insulation between 1930 and 1950.
- Asbestos in textured ceilings and drywall compounds used on wall and ceiling joints.
- Artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces may contain asbestos.
- Walls and floors around woodburning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets.
- Vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives may contain asbestos.
- Hot water and steam pipes in older houses may be coated with an asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape.
- Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets may have asbestos insulation.
Please see diagram at the bottom for more information regarding asbestos and where it may be located.
How can I know for sure if there's asbestos in my home?
- You can't tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it, unless it is labeled.
- Treat suspected material as if it contains asbestos or have it sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional.
- A professional should take samples for analysis, since a professional knows what to look for, and because there may be an increased health risk if fibres are released. In fact, if done incorrectly, sampling can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. Taking samples yourself is not recommended.
What should I do if asbestos is found on my property?
Don't panic! Usually the best thing is to LEAVE asbestos material that is in good condition ALONE. Generally, material in good condition will not release asbestos fibres. THERE IS NO DANGER unless fibres are released and inhaled into the lungs.
Check material regularly if you suspect it may contain asbestos. Don't touch it, but look for signs of wear or damage such as tears, abrasions, or water damage. Damaged material may release asbestos fibres. This is particularly true if you often disturb it by hitting, rubbing, or handling it, or if it is exposed to extreme vibration or air flow.
Sometimes, the best way to deal with slightly damaged material is to limit access to the area and not touch or disturb it. Discard damaged or worn asbestos gloves, stove-top pads, or ironing board covers. Check with local health, environmental, or other appropriate officials to find out proper handling and disposal procedures.
If asbestos material is more than slightly damaged, or if you are going to make changes in your home that might disturb it, repair or removal by a professional is needed. Before you have your house remodeled, find out whether asbestos materials are present.
Check material regularly if you suspect it may contain asbestos. Don't touch it, but look for signs of wear or damage such as tears, abrasions, or water damage. Damaged material may release asbestos fibres. This is particularly true if you often disturb it by hitting, rubbing, or handling it, or if it is exposed to extreme vibration or air flow.
Sometimes, the best way to deal with slightly damaged material is to limit access to the area and not touch or disturb it. Discard damaged or worn asbestos gloves, stove-top pads, or ironing board covers. Check with local health, environmental, or other appropriate officials to find out proper handling and disposal procedures.
If asbestos material is more than slightly damaged, or if you are going to make changes in your home that might disturb it, repair or removal by a professional is needed. Before you have your house remodeled, find out whether asbestos materials are present.
What do I have to do before work begins on the demolition, renovation, or salvage of buildings or structures?
WorkSafeBC OHS Guideline G20.112 explains the hazards associated with the uncontrolled release of asbestos. It also provides information for owners, employers, consultants, workers, and other involved persons on:
- What constitutes a compliant asbestos inspection
- Arranging for and confirming the safe abatement of asbestos
- What to do if more materials suspected to contain asbestos are encountered during demolition or salvage work
What are my responsibilities as an employer or owner/ builder?
Employers and owner/builders are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of all workers working for the employer and of any other workers present at the workplace. They are also responsible for protecting the public. WorkSafeBC has specific regulations that must be followed covering:
- Demolition (Part 20 Occupational Health and Safety Regulation)
- Asbestos (Part 6 Occupational Health and Safety Regulation)
What should I do if I find asbestos-containing material (ACM)?
- All ACM must be properly removed and disposed of by trained and qualified asbestos workers before demolition, renovation, or salvage work begins.
- A notice of project for asbestos (NOPA) must be submitted to WorkSafeBC at least 24 hours before asbestos removal, demolition, renovation, or salvage work begins.
- After the asbestos removal, the owner or employer should receive written confirmation that the asbestos specified for removal on the NOPA has been properly removed.
Additional Information
AHERA - Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act
WorkSafe BC prefers AHERA Building Inspectors when suspect hazardous materials are inspected and/or sampled. An AHERA inspector is one who's obtained the AHERA Building Inspector accreditation. Signed into law in 1986 in the United States and amended in 1994, AHERA mandates specific training and "accreditation" for all individuals doing inspection, project design, project supervision, and project work involving asbestos in buildings.
Asbestos-related lung cancer
Asbestos-related lung cancer looks the same as lung cancer caused by smoking and other substances. Researchers have shown that the combination of smoking tobacco and inhaling asbestos fibres greatly increase the risk of lung cancer.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a serious scarring condition of the lung that normally occurs after heavy exposure to asbestos over many years. This condition can cause progressive shortness of breath, and in severe cases can be fatal.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer which affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) and the lining surrounding the lower digestive tract (peritoneum). It is almost exclusively related to asbestos exposure and by the time it is diagnosed, it is almost always fatal.
Pleural thickening
Pleural thickening is generally a problem that happens after heavy asbestos exposure. The lining of the lung (pleura) thickens and swells. If this gets worse, the lung itself can be squeezed, and can cause shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest.
Asbestos a Hidden Killer - http://www.hiddenkiller.ca/
WorkSafe BC prefers AHERA Building Inspectors when suspect hazardous materials are inspected and/or sampled. An AHERA inspector is one who's obtained the AHERA Building Inspector accreditation. Signed into law in 1986 in the United States and amended in 1994, AHERA mandates specific training and "accreditation" for all individuals doing inspection, project design, project supervision, and project work involving asbestos in buildings.
Asbestos-related lung cancer
Asbestos-related lung cancer looks the same as lung cancer caused by smoking and other substances. Researchers have shown that the combination of smoking tobacco and inhaling asbestos fibres greatly increase the risk of lung cancer.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a serious scarring condition of the lung that normally occurs after heavy exposure to asbestos over many years. This condition can cause progressive shortness of breath, and in severe cases can be fatal.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer which affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) and the lining surrounding the lower digestive tract (peritoneum). It is almost exclusively related to asbestos exposure and by the time it is diagnosed, it is almost always fatal.
Pleural thickening
Pleural thickening is generally a problem that happens after heavy asbestos exposure. The lining of the lung (pleura) thickens and swells. If this gets worse, the lung itself can be squeezed, and can cause shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest.
Asbestos a Hidden Killer - http://www.hiddenkiller.ca/
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