Many buildings contain asbestos contaminated building materials and they pose no health risks as long as they are not damaged. Until the late 1980s asbestos fibres were commonly used in cement, bitumen, plaster, vinyl and insulation. They are still found in newer products but not as often. There
are many materials in the home and workplace that may contain asbestos but it isn’t possible to tell with the naked eye, as asbestos fibres are microscopic. If you’re concerned that a material in your property may contain asbestos and is posing a health risk then the best thing to do is arrange for a specialist to identify it.
Asbestos can be found in the following building materials:
- Asphalt Floor Tiles
- Vinyl Floor Tiles
- Vinyl Sheet Flooring
- Flooring Backing
- Construction Mastics (floor tile, carpet, ceiling tile, etc.)
- Acoustical Plaster
- Decorative Plaster
- Textured Paints/Coatings (stipple)
- Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels
- Spray-Applied Insulation
- Blown-in Insulation
- Fireproofing Materials
- Taping Compounds (thermal)
- Packing Materials (for wall/floor penetrations)
- High Temperature Gaskets
- Laboratory Hoods/Table Tops
- Laboratory Gloves
- Fire Blankets
- Fire Curtains
- Elevator Equipment Panels
- Elevator Brake Shoes
- HVAC Duct Insulation
- Boiler Insulation
- Breaching Insulation
- Ductwork Flexible Fabric Connections
- Cooling Towers
- Pipe Insulation (corrugated air-cell, block, etc.)
- Heating and Electrical Ducts
- Electrical Panel Partitions
- Electrical Cloth
- Electric Wiring Insulation
- Chalkboards
- Roofing Shingles
- Roofing Felt