The Basics of Asbestos

Asbestos was commonly used in residential and commercial buildings that were built prior to 1990. If you are planning to renovate a building that was built prior to 1990, it is critical that you get the area tested for asbestos. This is because asbestos can cause severe health problems in the workers that undertake the construction and any individual who comes into contact with the area later on. Older buildings have a way of revealing what matters once work begins. A ceiling opens up, flooring comes off, pipe insulation is exposed, and suddenly a routine job needs better answers. That is why the basics of asbestos still matter for property owners, contractors, and managers dealing with renovation, demolition, restoration, or maintenance in older spaces. Certified Asbestos helps clients who need those answers to be clear, practical, and tied to what actually happens on site.

What Are Asbestos Containing Products and Where Risk Starts

Asbestos containing products are manufactured materials made with asbestos because it added strength, insulation, and fire resistance. Common examples include insulation, floor tiles, vinyl floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roofing shingles, cement sheets, pipe wrap, boiler insulation, and joint compound. On their own, these materials don’t warrant any cause for stress. The concern starts when they are cut, drilled, broken, sanded, or otherwise disturbed. Friable asbestos materials create a higher risk because they can release fibres more easily, but even harder materials can become dangerous as they age, crack, or break down. On an older site, that is usually the moment to slow down, assess the material properly, and avoid turning a manageable issue into a larger one.

What is Exposure to Asbestos and Why Occupational Health Matters

Exposure to asbestos happens when asbestos fibers become airborne and particles are inhaled. This can happen during renovation, demolition, cleanup, repair, or home maintenance that disturbs older materials. Once asbestos dust is in the air, workers, occupants, and anyone who enters the area may be exposed if the site is not properly controlled. That is why asbestos handling remains such an important occupational health issue. Inhaled fibers can lodge in lung tissue and remain there for years, increasing the risk of serious long-term health effects such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other lung disease. It’s best to have it handled with care from the start and under strict occupational safety procedures.

What is the Role of Asbestos Abatement in Addressing Health Hazard Concerns

After identifying that there is asbestos on your property, the next step comes with addressing and removing the health concern. Asbestos abatement is the controlled process used to inspect, contain, and remove asbestos, dispose of waste properly, and reduce exposure during the work. Depending on the project, that process may also include bulk sampling, visual inspections, air monitoring, and management plans.

The process itself is fairly direct than most will expect: site review, testing, results, then scope. If asbestos is present and planned work will disturb it, the next step may involve containment, sealing, regulated removal, cleanup, and disposal before reconstruction or restoration can continue. In that sense, asbestos abatement plays a central role in addressing health hazard concerns by controlling the work area, limiting the spread of harmful particles, and reducing the risk of further exposure. For clients who need the removal side clearly laid out, Certified Asbestos offers professional asbestos removal services grounded in safe, controlled work.

Get in the Clear with Certified Asbestos

If suspect materials are slowing down your project, the cleanest next step is to get clear answers before the scope grows. Certified Asbestos brings job-site experience, trained crews, and a safety-first approach to asbestos testing and asbestos abatement across Calgary, Alberta, Saskatoon, and Saskatchewan. Our team handles work with clear communication and a solid understanding of how asbestos issues affect schedule, access, compliance, and budget. Contact us today to move from uncertainty to a practical plan with testing, asbestos abatement, and site-ready guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Asbestos

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring mineral silicates that can be separated into flexible fibers.

There are two main mineralogical classifications of asbestos:

Serpentines

The serpentine family consists of only chrysotile or “white” asbestos. It is a hydrated magnesium silicate having long wavy fibers that are white or off-white.

Amphibioles

Only amosite and crocidolite have had significant commercial use. Amosite is often called “brown” asbestos and has much straighter and shorter fibers than chrysotile. Crocidolite is referred to as “blue” asbestos and has long straight fibers much like amosite.

Where Does Asbestos Come From?

Asbestos is found in rock veins and is obtained through the process of open-pit mining.

Why Did Asbestos Use to Be Popular?

Asbestos was used because of its resilient nature. It was good for soundproofing, extremely fire resistant, strong, and relatively cheap.

What Can We Do if We Think We Have Asbestos?

The first step is to know for sure. Call us, and we will test your building’s air and materials to discover the truth. Our testing process is based on a broad and accurate testing process that examines multiple parts and materials of the building in order to get an accurate picture of the situation.

If we test your building and find asbestos, we can remove it, preventing harm to you and your employees. Our asbestos removal services are performed by trained and certified professionals, and we work with a thorough understanding of any time or monetary constraints you may be under.

If you think you have asbestos in your building, don’t hesitate to give us a call. It’s better to know for sure.

Is a Little Bit of Asbestos Exposure Ok?

No one should treat asbestos exposure as acceptable. The risk depends on the amount, frequency, and type of exposure, but even limited exposure is not something to ignore.

If someone may have been exposed to asbestos, work should stop and the area should be assessed properly. Certified Asbestos helps clients with site specific guidance so the next step is based on testing and site conditions, not guesswork.

What Are the Health Effects of Asbestos Exposure?

The main health effects of asbestos exposure might include asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other lung disease. These conditions are linked to inhaled fibers that can remain in lung tissue for years. That long timeline is part of what makes asbestos such a serious occupational health issue as the consequences may not be obvious at the time of exposure, which is why prevention and proper handling matter so much.

How Can People Be Exposed to Asbestos?

People can be exposed to asbestos during renovation, demolition work, maintenance, emergency cleanup, or repairs that disturb older asbestos containing products. Once asbestos dust becomes airborne, exposure can extend beyond the person doing the work. That is why health and safety procedures focus so heavily on containment, controlled removal, and reducing exposure across the whole work area.

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