All About Asbestos

 

A Little History… 

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined, processed, and used in a variety of different ways. For many years asbestos has been used in building materials for its fireproofing, insulating, noise cancelling, heat resisting, and waterproofing properties, as well as increasing the strength of the material. 

While the production and use of asbestos products has been banned in most countries, there are still some parts of the world that continue to mine and use asbestos to this day. The last remaining asbestos mines in Canada are located in Asbestos, Quebec, a town named for the "miracle mineral", and they didn't stop production of asbestos until 2011. 

Though the dangers of asbestos have been apparent since the early 1900's, it was not common knowledge until the 1970's, with bans and regulations coming into effect in the 1990's. This means that asbestos containing building materials were commonly used up until the 1990's, and there is a good chance that if your home was built before then, some materials in your home could contain asbestos and you will need to have it tested before removing it.

So What Parts Of My Home Should I Be Concerned About?

As we've learned, asbestos was added to building materials to add strength and fire resistance.

Some Common ACM's (Asbestos Containing Materials) Include:

  • Drywall joint compound (asbestos typically is not found in drywall, but in the "mud" used to fill in joints, seams and cracks)

  • Texture coat ("popcorn" ceilings, textured walls, etc.)

  • Plaster

  • Vinyl floor tiles

  • Vinyl sheet floors (typically found in the glue and backing)

  • Plaster

  • Stucco

  • Caulk

  • Roofing

  • Insulation (vermiculite*)

  • Pipe insulation

So Now You Know Where Asbestos Could Be Hiding Inside Your Home, But Should You Be Concerned?

Yes and no. Though asbestos fibers are dangerous if inhaled at large volumes for extended amounts of time, there is a low chance of developing any asbestos related diseases from just one encounter. Furthermore, ACM's found in your home are only a danger to you if they have been disturbed, and asbestos fibers have been released into the air. This means that your asbestos containing flooring and drywall is more than likely safe for you and your family to live with for many years to come, but when it comes time to renovate, you will need to take special precautions to remove these materials, as worker exposure and general environmental safety is a concern. click here to go to our hazardous materials inspection page, and find out if your house was built with asbestos containing materials.

Now we know what asbestos is, how it works, and where we can find it the next question is…

Are There Materials That Are More Dangerous Than Others? What Should I Look Out For?

Absolutely. There are certain ACM's that pose a greater risk to your health if disturbed than others. We categorize these materials into "low risk", "moderate risk", and "high risk" materials. Though all ACM's must be properly removed and disposed of, high risk materials typically contain a higher volume of asbestos than low or moderate risk materials, and are typically more friable (easily broken up and released into the air) than other materials. Some examples of high risk materials are stucco, vinyl sheet floor (backing), texture coat, and vermiculite*. It is important to take extra precautions not to disturb these materials if they are found in your home.

* Vermiculite, like asbestos, is a mineral. Though the two minerals have little in common on their own, many vermiculite mines were found to be contaminated with asbestos, and until the 1990's, this vermiculite was often used as an insulation in attics and walls, as well as used in planters and gardens. Learn more about vermiculite.

Contact us to learn more about asbestos and how you can ensure that your home is absestos free.