Asbestos testing consists in performing laboratory testing of material samples to determine whether they contain asbestos, and if so, the type and quantity. The acceptable threshold (standard) is less than 0.1% under Québec regulations (Regulation Respecting Occupational Health and Safety, S-2.1, r.13).

Technical evaluation is performed in accordance with the analytical method prescribed in Québec—method 244 of the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) for materials and method 198.4 of the Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP) for resilient floorings. The evaluation consists in determining whether asbestos fibres are present in the samples submitted for analysis.

1. Sampling:  Using protective equipment, the Multitest technician carefully takes a number of samples (according to the type of material) from one or more homogeneous sampling areas. The technician writes down his observations and notes the location of the samples on a diagram. This document will be included in the final report.
2. Laboratory analysis: The chemist determines whether the tested material contains asbestos.
3. Written report: Multitest provides a summary report that includes our recommendations, the laboratory certificate of analysis and our sampling report.

The number of samples to be analyzed to confirm the absence of asbestos in a material likely to contain it depends on the type of material concerned.

Thus, for on-site mixed materials such as walls made of plaster/cement, joint compound, cement parging or mortar, the CNESST requires 9 negative samples from each homogeneous sampling area (also called zone presenting similarities of construction) in order to conclude that such area is free of asbestos and that work likely to generate dust does not have to be carried out under asbestos removal conditions.

In the case of manufactured materials such as resilient floorings, acoustic tiles (suspended ceiling) or roof shingles, the CNESST requires only 1 sample of each model and each brand.

Different quantities of samples are required for other materials such as lagging (also called heat insulation on pipes and equipment). Please contact us as needed.

For further details, please consult the following free online guide:

• Gestion sécuritaire de l’amiante by CNESST (available in French only).

Because it offers many attractive properties (incombustible, good thermal/electrical/acoustic insulator, etc.), asbestos was used extensively from around 1930 to 1980. However, it became apparent over time that asbestos could cause serious health issues.

It is only since December 30, 2018 that asbestos is formally banned in Canada. Even so, large amounts of asbestos remain in buildings (walls, ceilings, insulation, pipe insulation, floor coverings, acoustic tiles, joint compound, etc.).

Asbestos is a health hazard when fibres detach from materials and become airborne. If the fibres are inhaled they enter the respiratory system and can cause serious health issues after several years (asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, etc.). Airborne asbestos fibres are 400 to 2,000 times smaller than a human hair and are invisible to the naked eye.

Materials containing asbestos may be hazardous when they give off dust because of deterioration or as a result of work (maintenance, repairs, renovations, demolition, etc.). Health Canada notes on its website that materials containing asbestos do not pose a significant health risk if they are in good condition and no work is planned.

Various building components (walls, ceilings, insulation, floor coverings, etc.) could be made of materials likely to containing asbestos. These include drywall, joint compound, plaster/cement, textured finish (stucco), mortar, parging, pipe insulation, resilient floorings and acoustic tiles.

When a material is deemed to contain asbestos—regardless of percentage or type of asbestos fibre—safeguards specified by regulations must be used to protect workers and, indirectly, the occupants of the building concerned in cases where asbestos fibres could become airborne when such material is handled.

The applicable safeguards vary according to the type of asbestos-containing material and the scope of the work concerned, and may include wearing a mask or half-mask with P100 (HEPA) filters, wearing protective clothing and setting up an airtight enclosure.

For further details, please consult the following free online guide:

• Guide de prévention amiante by ASP Construction (available in French only).

Even though Health Canada’s opinion is that materials containing asbestos do not pose a significant health risk if no fibres are released into the air, the value of buildings concerned is affected. Certain buyers:

• Do not want to be faced with this problem when they later have to sell;
• Are concerned about possible risks to their health; or
• Plan to carry out renovations that would disturb the materials in question.

The cost to remove materials containing asbestos varies according to the type and quantity of the materials to be removed and the specific characteristics of the building concerned. Each case is specific. We do not perform this type of work. However, we can refer you to contractors if necessary.

Buildings constructed or renovated before 1990 are more likely to be constructed with some asbestos-containing materials, particularly since the use of asbestos declined from the early 1980s. There is no consensus on a specific date, in part because acceptable standards for asbestos vary by province, state and country. However, it is important to note that asbestos is only banned in Canada as of December 30, 2018.

Unfortunately, there is no reliable and accurate data available on this subject. Several hundred thousand buildings in Canada and the United States contain asbestos.

All of Québec, Canada and the United States are affected. Multitest can arrange for the analysis of samples of materials likely to contain asbestos from anywhere in Québec.

The cost to remove materials containing asbestos varies according to the type and quantity of the materials to be removed and the specific characteristics of the building concerned. Each case is specific. We do not perform this type of work. However, we can refer you to contractors if necessary.

For more information about asbestos, please visit the following organizations’ websites:

• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety;
• Health Canada.

You can also consult the following free online guides:

• Gestion sécuritaire de l’amiante by CNESST (available in French only);
• Guide de prévention amiante by ASP Construction (available in French only).

Technical evaluation is performed in accordance with the analytical method prescribed in Québec—method 244 of the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) for materials and method 198.4 of the Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP) for resilient floorings. The evaluation consists in determining whether asbestos fibres are present in the samples submitted for analysis.

• Sampling: Using protective equipment, the Multitest technician carefully takes a number of samples (according to the type of material) from one or more homogeneous sampling areas. The technician writes down his observations and notes the location of the samples on a diagram. This document will be included in the final report.
• Laboratory analysis: The chemist determines whether the tested material contains asbestos.
• Written report: Multitest provides a summary report that includes our recommendations, the laboratory certificate of analysis and our sampling report.

No. We will contact you the business day before the test to confirm an appointment time.

It takes about 10 minutes for each sample (for example, 30 minutes for 3 samples).

No.

Less than 0.1%.

Asbestos is a health hazard when fibres detach from materials (become airborne). If the fibres are inhaled they enter the respiratory system and can cause serious health issues after several years (asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, etc.). Airborne asbestos fibres are 400 to 2,000 times thinner than a human hair and are invisible to the naked eye.

Materials containing asbestos could have health consequences if work (maintenance, repair, renovation, demolition, etc.) or their condition is likely to result in dust being produced by these materials through direct or indirect action. Health Canada notes on its web site that materials containing asbestos do not pose a significant health risk if they are in good condition and no work is planned.

No, there is no law requiring the removal of such materials as long as they are in good condition and are not affected by work that may emit dust.

The number of samples to be analyzed to confirm the absence of asbestos in a material likely to contain it depends on the type of material concerned.

Thus, for on-site mixed materials such as walls made of plaster/cement, joint compound, cement parging or mortar, the CNESST requires 9 negative samples from each homogeneous sampling area (also called zone presenting similarities of construction) in order to conclude that such area is free of asbestos and that work likely to generate dust does not have to be carried out under asbestos removal conditions.

In the case of manufactured materials such as resilient floorings, acoustic tiles (suspended ceiling) or roof shingles, the CNESST requires only 1 sample of each model and each brand.

Different quantities of samples are required for other materials such as lagging (also called heat insulation on pipes and equipment). Please contact us as needed.

For further details, please consult the following free online guide:

• Gestion sécuritaire de l’amiante by CNESST (available in French only).

We do not recommend taking samples yourself. However, if you decide to do so, please contact us for the recommended method and precautions.

We do not perform this type of work. However, we can refer you to contractors if necessary.