Do you suspect asbestos in the building materials of your home or another building? Lab’Eau-Air-Sol performs asbestos analyses to help identify materials that may contain it.
Asbestos was used in construction for decades because of its heat resistance, durability and insulating properties. It can be found in certain insulation products, sprayed coatings, pipe insulation, plasters, joint compounds and building finishes. Before renovation, demolition, a real estate transaction or a building assessment, laboratory analysis provides information about asbestos in the samples submitted.
About the analysis
Understanding asbestos analysis in bulk materials
What is asbestos?
Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals with a fibrous structure. These fibres were incorporated into various building products, particularly for their heat resistance and mechanical strength.
When asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed, especially during renovation or demolition, fibres can be released into the air.
Inhaling asbestos fibres is associated with serious diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. However, an asbestos-containing material that remains in good condition and is not disturbed does not necessarily present a significant exposure risk.
Asbestos in building materials
Some buildings, particularly those built or renovated before the 1990s, may contain materials in which asbestos was used.
It can be found in insulation, sprayed coatings, thermal insulation, joint compounds, certain plasters and various wall, ceiling or floor finishes.
The presence of asbestos cannot be confirmed solely by a material’s appearance or age. Laboratory analysis identifies the fibres present in the submitted sample.
Vermiculite and asbestos
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used as insulation in attics and certain building cavities.
Some vermiculite insulation products sold during the twentieth century may contain amphibole asbestos fibres.
Unlike materials to which asbestos was deliberately added, contamination in some vermiculite insulation comes from asbestos minerals naturally present in the deposits that were mined.
Vermiculite therefore does not automatically contain asbestos. However, suspect insulation should be handled with caution to avoid dispersing any fibres that may be present.
What does the analysis involve?
Asbestos analysis in bulk materials involves examining a material sample to identify any asbestos fibres and characterize their concentration using the applicable analytical method.
The results document the material’s composition and support decisions about its use, handling or proposed work.
Characterizing asbestos in bulk materials
In Québec, certain provisions of the occupational health and safety regulation (RSST) and the construction safety code (CSTC) apply when the concentration of asbestos in a material or product is at least 0.1%.
Material characterization must comply with applicable regulatory requirements. IRSST method 244, or a method offering equivalent accuracy, is a reference for this type of analysis.
The CQ Vrac programme of the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) concerns laboratory recognition for asbestos analysis in bulk materials.
Types of materials that can be analysed
Depending on their nature and the scope of the work, materials submitted for analysis may include:
- Vermiculite and certain insulation materials
- Sprayed coatings and thermal insulation
- Plasters and renders
- Joint compounds
- Panels and building materials
- Wall, ceiling and floor finishes
- Other building materials that may contain asbestos
The type of material and the purpose of the assessment can influence the applicable analytical method.
When should you request this analysis?
Asbestos analysis in bulk materials may be useful in several situations, particularly before work that could disturb building materials.
How can we help?
- You suspect asbestos in the building materials of your home or another building.
- You are planning renovation or demolition work that could release asbestos fibres.
- You want to characterize vermiculite insulation in an attic or building cavity.
- You are considering buying a property and would like information about suspect materials.
- You need to document the presence or absence of asbestos in samples of building materials.
- You are a contractor, building inspector, property manager or owner looking for a laboratory to perform an asbestos analysis.
- You would like information about analysis procedures and costs before submitting your samples.
Specific precautions for vermiculite
Where vermiculite is present in an attic, it is recommended that you avoid moving or disturbing it.
Until its composition is known, certain precautions can help limit exposure risks:
- Limit access to the attic.
- Avoid storing objects there.
- Do not move or remove suspect insulation yourself.
- Prevent dust from the attic from entering occupied rooms.
- Use qualified professionals when work is required.
When insulation remains intact and separated from occupied spaces, exposure risk may be limited. However, precautions are important before any work that could disturb it.
Sampling
How do you collect a sample?
Sampling a material that may contain asbestos requires appropriate precautions to avoid dispersing fibres.
If you are unsure which material to sample, how much is needed or which precautions to take, contact our team before doing any work.
With Lab’Eau-Air-Sol, your samples are analysed in Québec, in our laboratories, without an intermediary. A report presenting the results is then sent to you.
Sampling methods
Find our instructions and recommendations for preparing your samples.