What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that was a popular building material from the 1950s to 1990s. It was used extensively because it is an insulator, has good fire protection properties, has tensile strength, and is resistant to chemical erosion.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to know if you’re working with asbestos because it is often mixed with other materials. However, if you work in a building built before 1990, it's likely that at least some parts of the building will contain asbestos.
Common uses
Some of the more common uses of asbestos in buildings are shown below.
Spray applied fireproofing
Found as fire protection on structural supports (e.g. columns and beams), walls and ceilings. Asbestos containing and non-asbestos containing forms of spray applied fireproofing may be found.
Mechanical insulation
Mechanical insulation can be found on mechanical systems, including: boilers, vessels, tanks and pipes. These materials often have a high asbestos content.
Linoleum
In older homes, the paper backing on some linoleum (sheet flooring) may contain high concentrations of asbestos. The paper packing tears easily and can result in high fibre levels if disturbed and appropriate procedures are not used.
Floor tiles
Resilient floor tiles in all sizes may contain asbestos. A common myth is that you can tell by the size alone if the floor tile is likely to contain asbestos, you cannot.
Drywall taping compound
Drywall taping compound, or drywall mud, sometimes referred to simply as drywall, often contains asbestos. In addition to covering seams, taping compound is also used to cover holes, screws and nails and will be feathered out over a large area for a smooth appearance. As a result, the entire drywall sheet should be treated as asbestos containing.
Vermiculite
Vermiculite is a light-weight, fire-resistant material. It has been used in numerous products, including insulation for attics and walls. If you have vermiculite insulation in your home, you should assume this material is contaminated with asbestos, unless appropriate sampling by a qualified person determines otherwise.
Asbestos cement board and tiles
Cement boards are often located on exterior buildings, forming wall coverings and roofs. They may appear as flat sheets, in corrugated sheet or as smaller overlapping tiles. They may be used indoors in electrical panels, as a heat shield around fireplaces and heating components, as blackboards, as peg board and as wall coverings.
Asbestos cement pipes
Asbestos cement pipes are commonly found as water supply and drain pipes.
Textured decorative coating
Textured and decorative finishes on walls and ceilings in older buildings often contains asbestos.
Get the facts
Health Canada – Health Risks of Asbestos
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Asbestos
www.hiddenkiller.ca/what-is-asbestos.asp
www.hiddenkiller.ca/where-is-it-found.asp
Mesothelioma Life Expectancy from Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma Prognosis from Asbestos Exposure
© 2011 WorkSafeBC.
