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Your Asbestos Testing Specialists

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Asbestos Testing Service

Apogee Environmental Solutions provides comprehensive residential asbestos testing through the use of an independent third-party asbestos testing labs in Ottawa, ensuring objective and unbiased results. Should the test results confirm the presence of asbestos, and you opt to engage our services for its removal, we will waive all costs associated with the material sampling and testing. 

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The asbestos sample collection process is a crucial procedure for identifying the presence of asbestos in materials to ensure safety and compliance with health regulations. The process begins with a thorough visual inspection of the site to locate potential asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). A small sample of the suspected material is carefully extracted using clean, sharp tools, ensuring minimal disturbance to prevent fiber release. The sample is then placed in a sealed, labeled container to prevent contamination and is documented with precise location details. The collected sample is sent to a certified laboratory for analysis using techniques such as polarized light microscopy (PLM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM).  This meticulous process ensures accurate detection and safe handling of asbestos, protecting both the environment and public health.  

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Despite meticulous efforts in the asbestos sample collection process, there remains a potential for materials that are hidden or inaccessible during the inspection. Hidden asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) might be located behind walls, under floors, or within other concealed areas that were not sampled. Consequently, property owners, contractors, and inspectors may discover such hidden ACMs during the removal process. Ultimately, while thorough inspection and sampling are critical, the possibility of hidden asbestos underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and the need for proper management plans to address any future discoveries.

Looking to have asbestos removed?

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Cost

$195 Per Material 

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1 Week Results

 

Certified Laboratory Analysis

$300 Per Material 

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Next Day Results

 

Certified Laboratory Analysis

Have questions still?  Talk to a human.

(343) 988-0970
info@ApogeeEnviro.ca

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Asbestos Appearance

Asbestos was commonly used in construction materials throughout much of the 20th century due to its durability, fire resistance, and insulating properties.  These materials typically feature asbestos fibers embedded within the product, making them less likely to release harmful fibers when undisturbed.  However, during renovations, demolition, or through wear and tear, these fibers can become airborne, posing serious health risks such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis when inhaled.  The presence of asbestos materials requires careful management, as improper handling can lead to significant contamination.  Modern regulations strictly control the removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials to ensure safety.  Professional asbestos abatement services are necessary to mitigate the risks associated with these materials, ensuring safe removal and compliance with environmental health standards.  For homeowners and building managers, identifying and addressing asbestos materials is critical to maintaining a safe indoor environment. 

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Some materials have properties that allow technicians to identify likely asbestos containing materials.  However, it is not possible to determine the presence of asbestos from visual analysis alone.  Laboratory testing must be done to verify the safety of materials.  Below we will list some possible identifiers that can serve as a warning that asbestos may be present in a material.  It is important to note that some materials such as asbestos containing drywall joint compound have virtually no visible difference compared to their non asbestos containing counterpart.

Vermiculite - Insulation

Vermiculite insulation typically appears as lightweight, granulated, or pebble-like material.  It ranges in color from golden brown to silvery gray, often with a shiny or metallic sheen.  The granules are irregular in shape and size, resembling small, coarse flakes or nuggets, similar to crushed mica or expanded popcorn.  When installed, vermiculite insulation usually fills spaces loosely, creating a textured and uneven surface.  It's often found in attics or wall cavities, where it has been poured in between joists or studs.  The material is recognizable by its distinctive layered, flaky structure and its light, airy feel when handled. 

Vermiculite Asbestos Insulation

Vent Wrap - Insulation

Asbestos vent wrap (asbestos pipe insulation) typically appears as a thick, fibrous material wrapped around pipes, ducts, or vents.  It is usually off-white or grey in color, although over time, it may take on a dusty or discolored appearance due to aging or environmental exposure.  The wrap consists of multiple layers, often with a rough, cloth-like texture on the outer surface and a denser, more compacted fibrous layer underneath.  It may appear frayed or worn at the edges, and the surface can be covered with a chalky, powdery residue.  The material is often rigid but can have a slightly pliable consistency, making it capable of conforming to various shapes and sizes of pipes and ducts.  The outer layer may sometimes have a woven pattern or a paper-like coating to provide additional strength and protection.  Due to its age and the hazardous nature of asbestos, any visible damage or deterioration in the wrap should be handled with extreme caution to avoid releasing harmful fibers into the air.

asbestos vent wrap insulation

Ceiling Stipple

Ceiling stipple is a textured finish commonly found in older buildings, characterized by small, irregular bumps that resemble a popcorn-like pattern. This stipple texture can vary in size and distribution, with some areas showing larger, more pronounced peaks while others are finer and more sparse. Typically off-white or beige, the color of ceiling stipple can yellow or stain with age, especially in rooms with poor ventilation or moisture. However, what many homeowners may not realize is that ceiling stipple in buildings constructed before the 1980s may contain asbestos, a dangerous mineral that was commonly used in building materials for its fire-resistant properties. Asbestos in ceiling stipple is not visible to the naked eye, but when disturbed—such as during renovation or scraping—it can release fine asbestos fibers into the air. These fibers are harmful when inhaled and can lead to serious health issues, including lung cancer and asbestosis. If you suspect your ceiling stipple contains asbestos, it is essential to avoid disturbing it and to contact a professional for asbestos testing and safe removal to minimize health risks.

ceiling asbestos texture
asbestos ceiling stipple clumpy

Drywall Joint Compound

Drywall joint compound, often used to smooth seams between sheets of drywall, typically has a creamy, off-white appearance, though it can range from light beige to gray, depending on the brand and age of the material. The texture is smooth and slightly thick, though it can become more granular or cracked as it ages or is disturbed. While drywall joint compound may appear uniform, it is important to note that you cannot visually determine if it contains asbestos. Asbestos was commonly used in joint compound until the late 1970s and early 1980s for its durability and fire-resistant properties, but the fibers are microscopic and invisible to the naked eye. If you suspect your drywall joint compound may contain asbestos, laboratory testing is required to accurately confirm its presence. Disturbing asbestos-containing joint compound can release harmful fibers into the air, so it’s critical to have any suspected material professionally tested for asbestos to avoid potential health risks.

asbestos drywall
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