LCS Laboratory Inc. conducts thousands of asbestos tests each year, giving us extensive insight into where asbestos is likely to be found in Canadian homes and buildings. Asbestos was commonly used in construction materials manufactured between 1920 and 1985 due to its affordability, availability, and versatility. It was added not only to construction products but also to various consumer and industrial items, often as a filler or strengthening agent.

Common Materials Containing Asbestos

In addition to construction materials, asbestos was used in items such as specialty clothing, technical canvases, cigarette filters, automotive parts, cardboard, laboratory equipment, and home heating appliances.

Canada still has many buildings that contain asbestos. The following guide will help you identify materials that may be at risk. Remember, only a laboratory analysis can confirm the presence of asbestos. The images below serve as examples and may differ from your materials.

1. Transite pipes. These cement-like pipes are usually grey in colour with a rough surface. They were used as heavy-duty cement pipes. They can contain up to 60% of asbestos

Cement pipe

2. Transite boards, asbestos-cement boards, and corrugated boards have texture and colour similar to Transite pipes above. Flat panels were used as a water and weather-resistant material. Corrugated panels were used as a common roofing material. 

cement sheets

3. Vermiculite attic insulation. This insulation may contain up to 6% of asbestos.

Vermiculite and Glass Wool attic insulation

 4. Insulation for pipes or boilers, pipe wrap (fabric), and mastic (glue). All three of these components may contain asbestos.

boiler

5. Vinyl floor tiles, underlay, and adhesive. Asbestos was used in all three materials. Usually, we see up to 5% of asbestos in these samples.

multiple layers of tiles

multiple layers of tiles

6. Textured ceiling paint (popcorn ceiling). May contain up to 4% of asbestos.

popcorn-ceiling-photos4

7. Ceiling tiles. They contain up to 10% of asbestos. 

ceiling tile

8. Putties, caulks. Typically contains less than 3% of asbestos.

caulking

9. Roofing shingles. They may contain up to 5% of asbestos. Common for very old roofing. 

roof shingles

10. Joint compound. It may have up to 3% of asbestos.

compound

 

  1. Roofing tar, and especially from flat roof buildings.

If you suspect that your house is contaminated with asbestos, bring a sample of the suspected material to our laboratory for analysis.  We will test your samples and send you a formal, detailed report.

Ready to Order an Asbestos Test?

For pricing and sampling instructions please visit the Asbestos Sampling page. Please feel free to examine an example of our report and our price list.   To learn more about how to collect an asbestos sample, the cost of analysis and how to order the test, please visit our FAQ page. If you are ready to place your order for asbestos testing, you can prepay it using the “add to cart” link below:

   

Please call us if you have any questions. 

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