Microvi Laboratories
Specializing in asbestos testing of bulk samples, Serves all of Great Toronto Area (GTA) and whole Ontario province
Q & A Asbestos
What is asbestos?
Asbestos refers to six unique minerals — chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite and actinolite — belonging to the serpentine and amphibole families. They have the ability to resist heat, fire and electricity. These properties of asbestos supported its use for many years in a number of different commercial and industrial settings, as well as in a wide range of consumer products.
Why asbestos is harmful
Asbestos can cause many health risks, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. It can take 10 – 50 years from the time of exposure for conditions to develop, making them difficult to diagnose in early stages and often resulting in a poor prognosis. Asbestos is extremely hazardous when it becomes disrupted and airborne, as it is easily inhaled or ingested and can lead to many health concerns. According to the EPA, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.
How asbestos looks like
Asbestos in homes generally occurs as the result of damaged, degraded or disturbed bulk building materials such as floor or ceiling tiles, insulation, caulking, drywall skim coats, etc. If these materials contain asbestos fibers, they may be released into the atmosphere posing a potential inhalation risk to those inside. Asbestos fibers are microscopic; too small to be seen by the naked eye. Therefore, the only way to determine if there are asbestos containing materials (ACM) in your home is to sample any suspected material and have it analyzed by a laboratory certified in asbestos analysis of bulk building materials.
Ontario Regulations and Test Methods
Ontario Regulation 278/05
Designated Substance — Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Operations. “Asbestos-Containing Material” means material that contains 0.5 per cent or more asbestos by dry weight.
The Regulation applies whether or not it is known or suspected that ACM will be encountered during a project, repair, alteration or maintenance of a building, or demolition of machinery, equipment, aircraft, ships, locomotives, railway cars and vehicles. This ensures that material that may be handled, disturbed or removed will be examined to determine whether it is ACM or will be treated as though it is ACM.
NIOSH Method 9002
NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Method 9002 is a PLM (Polarized Light Microscopy) qualitative and semi-quantitative method for the determination of asbestos in bulk samples.
EPA/600/R-93/116
PLM EPA/600/R-93/116 with Gravimetric Preparation - Method For The Determination Of Asbestos In Bulk Building Materials, July 1993.
This is a comprehensive method outlining various techniques for determining the asbestos concentration in bulk building materials. This method outlines two quantification techniques. The first, and most widely employed is the visual estimate. This works well for most sample types. Reporting limit to <0.5%.