Do you need to check a road surface, asphalt mixture or reclaimed asphalt pavement for asbestos?
Lab’Eau-Air-Sol performs asbestos analyses adapted to road materials and to rehabilitation, milling, demolition and material recovery projects.
About the analysis
Understanding asbestos analysis in road materials
What is asbestos?
Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals with a fibrous structure. It may be found in road materials because it was added to their composition or because asbestos minerals occur naturally in certain aggregates.
Asbestos in asphalt mixtures
In Quebec, some older asphalt pavements may contain asbestos, which was used in certain asphalt mixtures in the past.
Older asphalt mixtures may contain chrysotile added during production. Asbestos fibres, including actinolite or tremolite, may also be associated with some natural aggregates used to make asphalt mixtures.
Asbestos in reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP)
Reclaimed asphalt pavement from milling or pavement rehabilitation may contain asbestos from older asphalt mixtures or from some of their aggregates.
What does the analysis involve?
The analysis involves examining a sample of asphalt or granular material to check for asbestos.
Asphalt mixtures form a complex matrix for analysis. Asbestos may be present in the bituminous binder or associated with the material’s aggregate fraction.
Asphalt characterization must therefore take the specific nature of this matrix into account.
Types of materials that can be analysed
Depending on the project, Lab’Eau-Air-Sol can analyse:
- Asphalt mixtures
- Materials from pavement milling
- Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP)
- Aggregates used in road structures
- Granular materials associated with roadwork
Preparation adapted to asphalt materials
The asphalt matrix can make analysis more complex than for conventional construction materials.
The potentially low concentration of asbestos and the characteristics of bitumen must be considered when preparing the sample.
Lab’Eau-Air-Sol has developed a preparation approach adapted to asphalt samples to help detect low concentrations of asbestos.
The type of analysis and preparation required may vary depending on the sample and the project’s purpose.
When should you request this analysis?
Asbestos analysis in asphalt and reclaimed asphalt pavement may be useful in several situations, including:
- Before roadwork requiring asphalt characterization.
- To check for asbestos in reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP).
- Before pavement milling, rehabilitation or demolition work.
- Before reusing or recovering road materials.
- To document the presence or absence of asbestos in a road material before a project.
Why test road materials for asbestos?
Checking for asbestos can be important before handling, reusing, recovering or disposing of road materials, including at an engineered landfill.
The analysis provides data about the sample submitted to support decisions by the professionals responsible for the project.
Who is this analysis for?
This analysis can meet the needs of contractors, municipalities, consulting engineering firms and infrastructure managers who want to characterize their road materials.
Sampling
Before sending your samples
If you are unsure what type or quantity of sample is needed, contact our team before sampling.
With Lab’Eau-Air-Sol, your samples are analysed in our Quebec laboratories, with no intermediary. You receive a report presenting the results.
Sampling methods
Consult our instructions to prepare and send your samples.