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Disclaimer: Although this information product reflects housing experts'
current knowledge, it is provided for general information purposes
only. Any reliance or action taken based on the information, materials
and techniques described are the responsibility of the user. Readers
are advised to consult appropriate professional resources to
determine what is safe and suitable in their particular case. DASH
Inspection Services assumes no responsibility for any consequence
arising from use of the information, materials and techniques
described.
Always, always consult with a Qualified Licensed Professional.
current knowledge, it is provided for general information purposes
only. Any reliance or action taken based on the information, materials
and techniques described are the responsibility of the user. Readers
are advised to consult appropriate professional resources to
determine what is safe and suitable in their particular case. DASH
Inspection Services assumes no responsibility for any consequence
arising from use of the information, materials and techniques
described.
Always, always consult with a Qualified Licensed Professional.
| About Your House: Insulation |
| UFFI Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation |
What Is UFFI?
Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) was developed in Europe in the 1950s as an improved
means of insulating difficult-to-reach cavities in house walls. It is typically made at a construction site
from a mixture of urea-formaldehyde resin, a foaming agent and compressed air. When the mixture is
injected into the wall, urea and formaldehyde unite and "cure" into an insulating foam plastic.
During the 1970s, when concerns about energy efficiency led to efforts to improve home insulation in
Canada, UFFI became an important insulation product for existing houses. Most installations
occurred between 1977 and its ban in Canada in 1980.
Why Was UFFI Banned?
In the insulating process, a slight excess of formaldehyde was often added to ensure complete
"curing" with the urea to produce the urea-formaldehyde foam. That excess was given off during the
curing, almost entirely within a day or two of injection. Properly installed, UFFI might not have resulted
in any problem. Unfortunately, however, UFFI was sometimes improperly installed or used in locations
where it should not have been. Enough complaints were received, particularly from people living in
small, well-sealed homes, that Canadian authorities became concerned about possible health
implications. The further use of UFFI was banned in 1980.
What Is Formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a pungent, colourless gas commonly used in water solution as a preservative and
disinfectant. It is also a basis for major plastics, including durable adhesives. It occurs naturally in the
human body and in the outdoor environment. Formaldehyde is used to bond plywood, particleboard,
carpets and fabrics, and it contributes to "that new house smell." Formaldehyde is also a by product
of combustion; it is found in tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust and the fumes from furnaces, fireplaces
and wood stoves.
While small amounts of formaldehyde are harmless, it is an irritating and toxic gas in significant
concentrations. Symptoms of overexposure to formaldehyde include irritation to eyes, nose and
throat; persistent cough and respiratory distress; skin irritation; nausea; headache; and dizziness.
Health Canada has determined that 0.1 parts per million (ppm) is a safe level of formaldehyde in the
home. Sensitivity to this level may vary based on individual age and health.
Should You Be Concerned About UFFI Today?
Tests show that UFFI is not a source of over-exposure to formaldehyde after the initial curing and
release of excess gas. As it was last installed in 1980, it would certainly not be causing excess indoor
formaldehyde today. Houses with UFFI show no higher formaldehyde levels than those without it.
However, if UFFI comes in contact with water or moisture, it could begin to break down. Wet or
deteriorating UFFI should be removed by a specialist and the source of the moisture problem should
be repaired.
In new or other well-sealed houses, significant indoor formaldehyde levels may still occur when new
carpets or wood composite materials, such as plywood, particleboard and waferboard, are used in
home construction, cabinetry and furnishings. These are the most likely sources of high
formaldehyde levels in the home today.
How can you tell if UFFI was installed in your home? It isn't easy, but here are some
pointers.
UFFI was installed under air pressure and injected through 1/2" - 2" holes in mortar joints, drywall,
wood siding, aluminium siding and concrete blocks. The side of your home may have tiny installation
plugs - a good indicator of UFFI. At times, they may be extremely tiny and hard to see.
UFFI was also used as sound insulation and air sealant in commercial and industrial properties. It's
been found in attics, common walls of row houses or semi-detached homes, office walls, apartment
buildings, condominiums and the ceilings of rooms above garages.
Since UFFI was installed using high air pressure, it's also been found in areas that it wasn't meant to
be. Here are some examples:
Around columns, electrical outlets and switch plates.
Near windows and electrical boxes.
In foundation blocks and sill plates.
In attic and knee wall areas.
In fireplace chimneys.
In floor joists and ceilings between floors.
Between double brick.
Between brick and cinder block.
In veranda overhangs.
Under bathtubs.
In bay window boxes.
Around noisy pipes in bathroom.
Around plumbing.
Used as a sealing material. UFFI may have been used to cover any drafts.
UFFI is most commonly found in homes. It may have been installed through the outside of the home,
through brick, wood, aluminium siding, shingles or insulbrick. It may also have been installed through
the inside of the home, by drilling holes through plaster or drywall. In most cases, holes were
re-plastered or covered with wallpaper
If you are asked for a UFFI declaration
Since 1993, a UFFI declaration has not been required for mortgage insurance under the National
Housing Act. However, a UFFI declaration may still be requested as part of a real estate listing or an
agreement of purchase and sale. Even though UFFI should not be a cause for concern, you may,
depending on where you live in Canada, be asked to declare whether or not it is in your home.
Some home inspectors will have the training or experience to identify UFFI. You can make a physical
check of the home yourself. Look for a series of small patched holes, 1.2 to 2 cm (1/2 to 3/4 in.)
across, at regular intervals on exterior or interior walls. Foam may be obvious where floor joists meet
the exterior walls of the basement or around electrical outlets or switch plates. These indicators do
not necessarily mean that UFFI is present, but they may alert you to the possibility
The informationabove was taken from CMHC website and a CBC Marketplace Broadcast:
http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/inaiqu_008.cfm
http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/home/uffi/inspect.html
Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) was developed in Europe in the 1950s as an improved
means of insulating difficult-to-reach cavities in house walls. It is typically made at a construction site
from a mixture of urea-formaldehyde resin, a foaming agent and compressed air. When the mixture is
injected into the wall, urea and formaldehyde unite and "cure" into an insulating foam plastic.
During the 1970s, when concerns about energy efficiency led to efforts to improve home insulation in
Canada, UFFI became an important insulation product for existing houses. Most installations
occurred between 1977 and its ban in Canada in 1980.
Why Was UFFI Banned?
In the insulating process, a slight excess of formaldehyde was often added to ensure complete
"curing" with the urea to produce the urea-formaldehyde foam. That excess was given off during the
curing, almost entirely within a day or two of injection. Properly installed, UFFI might not have resulted
in any problem. Unfortunately, however, UFFI was sometimes improperly installed or used in locations
where it should not have been. Enough complaints were received, particularly from people living in
small, well-sealed homes, that Canadian authorities became concerned about possible health
implications. The further use of UFFI was banned in 1980.
What Is Formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a pungent, colourless gas commonly used in water solution as a preservative and
disinfectant. It is also a basis for major plastics, including durable adhesives. It occurs naturally in the
human body and in the outdoor environment. Formaldehyde is used to bond plywood, particleboard,
carpets and fabrics, and it contributes to "that new house smell." Formaldehyde is also a by product
of combustion; it is found in tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust and the fumes from furnaces, fireplaces
and wood stoves.
While small amounts of formaldehyde are harmless, it is an irritating and toxic gas in significant
concentrations. Symptoms of overexposure to formaldehyde include irritation to eyes, nose and
throat; persistent cough and respiratory distress; skin irritation; nausea; headache; and dizziness.
Health Canada has determined that 0.1 parts per million (ppm) is a safe level of formaldehyde in the
home. Sensitivity to this level may vary based on individual age and health.
Should You Be Concerned About UFFI Today?
Tests show that UFFI is not a source of over-exposure to formaldehyde after the initial curing and
release of excess gas. As it was last installed in 1980, it would certainly not be causing excess indoor
formaldehyde today. Houses with UFFI show no higher formaldehyde levels than those without it.
However, if UFFI comes in contact with water or moisture, it could begin to break down. Wet or
deteriorating UFFI should be removed by a specialist and the source of the moisture problem should
be repaired.
In new or other well-sealed houses, significant indoor formaldehyde levels may still occur when new
carpets or wood composite materials, such as plywood, particleboard and waferboard, are used in
home construction, cabinetry and furnishings. These are the most likely sources of high
formaldehyde levels in the home today.
How can you tell if UFFI was installed in your home? It isn't easy, but here are some
pointers.
UFFI was installed under air pressure and injected through 1/2" - 2" holes in mortar joints, drywall,
wood siding, aluminium siding and concrete blocks. The side of your home may have tiny installation
plugs - a good indicator of UFFI. At times, they may be extremely tiny and hard to see.
UFFI was also used as sound insulation and air sealant in commercial and industrial properties. It's
been found in attics, common walls of row houses or semi-detached homes, office walls, apartment
buildings, condominiums and the ceilings of rooms above garages.
Since UFFI was installed using high air pressure, it's also been found in areas that it wasn't meant to
be. Here are some examples:
Around columns, electrical outlets and switch plates.
Near windows and electrical boxes.
In foundation blocks and sill plates.
In attic and knee wall areas.
In fireplace chimneys.
In floor joists and ceilings between floors.
Between double brick.
Between brick and cinder block.
In veranda overhangs.
Under bathtubs.
In bay window boxes.
Around noisy pipes in bathroom.
Around plumbing.
Used as a sealing material. UFFI may have been used to cover any drafts.
UFFI is most commonly found in homes. It may have been installed through the outside of the home,
through brick, wood, aluminium siding, shingles or insulbrick. It may also have been installed through
the inside of the home, by drilling holes through plaster or drywall. In most cases, holes were
re-plastered or covered with wallpaper
If you are asked for a UFFI declaration
Since 1993, a UFFI declaration has not been required for mortgage insurance under the National
Housing Act. However, a UFFI declaration may still be requested as part of a real estate listing or an
agreement of purchase and sale. Even though UFFI should not be a cause for concern, you may,
depending on where you live in Canada, be asked to declare whether or not it is in your home.
Some home inspectors will have the training or experience to identify UFFI. You can make a physical
check of the home yourself. Look for a series of small patched holes, 1.2 to 2 cm (1/2 to 3/4 in.)
across, at regular intervals on exterior or interior walls. Foam may be obvious where floor joists meet
the exterior walls of the basement or around electrical outlets or switch plates. These indicators do
not necessarily mean that UFFI is present, but they may alert you to the possibility
The informationabove was taken from CMHC website and a CBC Marketplace Broadcast:
http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/inaiqu_008.cfm
http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/home/uffi/inspect.html
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a natural mineral with unusual qualities. It is strong enough to resist high temperatures,
chemical attack and wear. A poor conductor, it insulates well against heat and electricity.
Asbestos crystals become long, flexible, silky fibres, so it can be made into a wide variety of forms. It
can be spun into yarn, woven into cloth or braided into rope. Asbestos can also be added to
materials as diverse as cotton and cement.
This combination of properties gives asbestos performance capabilities that are difficult to match.
What has asbestos been used for?
Asbestos has been used in hundreds of applications and products over the past 4,500 years. The
ancient Greeks wove it into oil lamp wicks, funeral shrouds and ceremonial tablecloths. During the
1800s, it insulated the hot engines, boilers and piping that powered the Industrial Revolution.
For half a century, until the 1980s, asbestos was used in office buildings, public buildings and
schools. It insulated hot water heating systems, and was put into walls and ceilings as insulation
against fire and sound.
Asbestos has also been widely used in transportation and electrical appliances, frequently mixed
with, and encased in, other materials.
Asbestos has also been found in many products around the house. It has been used in clapboard;
shingles and felt for roofing; exterior siding; pipe and boiler covering; compounds and cement, such
as caulk, putty, roof patching, furnace cement and driveway coating; wallboard; textured and latex
paints; acoustical ceiling tiles and plaster; vinyl floor tiles; appliance wiring; hair dryers; irons and
ironing board pads; flame-resistant aprons and electric blankets; and clay pottery. Loose-fill
vermiculite insulation may contain traces of “amphibole” asbestos.
How has the use of asbestos changed?
When it became evident that regular exposure to asbestos on the job involved health risks, the
public became more concerned about exposure to asbestos in offices and schools, and, eventually,
about all asbestos products.
This concern has led to a dramatic decline in asbestos use since the early 1980s. The use of
asbestos insulation in buildings and heating systems has virtually disappeared. Residential use, for
roofing, flooring and appliances, continues to decrease.
While alternative products are being developed to replace asbestos, products sold today containing
asbestos are regulated under the Hazardous Products Act. Asbestos can be used safely, and public
concern has led to improved product design and manufacture. Asbestos is now better encapsulated
and sealed to reduce the escape of fibres.
Asbestos is valuable in many applications because it has been difficult to find comparable substitute
materials. For example, it is still an important component of brake lining and clutch facings.
What health problems are associated with exposure to asbestos?
Health Canada states that the asbestos content of a product does not indicate its health risk.
Asbestos poses health risks only when fibres are in the air that people breathe. Asbestos fibres
lodge in the lungs, causing scarring that can ultimately lead to severely impaired lung function
(asbestosis) and cancers of the lungs or lung cavity.
Concern for the health of asbestos workers was expressed as long ago as the late 1800s. The risks
became more evident in the late 1960s, when workers who had been heavily exposed 20 to 30
years earlier showed increased incidence of lung disease. Occupational exposure is now strictly
regulated by provincial governments.
When can asbestos be a problem in the home?
Today, far fewer products in the home contain asbestos. Current products that do contain the
material are better made to withstand wear and use.
However, frequent or prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres may still bring health risks. This can
happen with the release of fibres into the air when asbestos-containing products break down, either
through deterioration as they age or when they are cut. People can put themselves at risk — often
without realizing it — if they do not take proper precautions when repairs or renovations disturb
asbestoscontaining materials. This can occur in a number of situations:
Disturbing loose-fill vermiculite insulation which may contain asbestos
Removing deteriorating roofing shingles and siding containing asbestos, or tampering with roofing
felt that contains asbestos
Ripping away old asbestos insulation from around a hot water tank
Sanding or scraping vinyl asbestos floor tiles
Breaking apart acoustical ceilings tiles containing asbestos
Sanding plaster containing asbestos, or sanding or disturbing acoustical plaster that gives ceilings
and walls a soft, textured look
Sanding or scraping older water-based asbestos coatings such as roofing compounds, spackling,
sealants, paint, putty, caulking or drywall
Sawing, drilling or smoothing rough edges of new or old asbestos materials
How to minimize the asbestos risks in the home?
If you do not know if products in your home contain asbestos, have an experienced contractor
inspect them. If there is asbestos, the best interim measure (unless the product is peeling or
deteriorating) is to seal the surface temporarily so that fibres will not be released into indoor air. If
the product is already protected or isolated, simply leave it alone.
It is a complex and expensive matter to remove asbestos, and should be done by an experienced
contractor. When disturbing an asbestos product, maximum precautions must be taken to safeguard
the workers and anybody else who may be nearby. Asbestos dust must remain within the work area
so that it cannot be breathed in by unprotected persons.
It is essential to take adequate precautions. Everybody who works with asbestos should always wear
an approved face mask and gloves, along with protective clothing. Be sure to tape sleeve and
trouser cuffs, and wash clothes separately after use. Keep the work area moist to keep dust and
fibre particles from floating into the air. Isolate the work space.
Reduce the air pressure to prevent asbestos fibres from escaping from the work area, and filter the
exhaust air. Dispose of all waste appropriately, according to the guidelines of your provincial
department of the environment. Other removal methods may be warranted for special conditions —
consult an expert.
Testing for Asbestos in Vermiculite
Vermiculite insulation in loose form can be readily visually identified as a light weight, silvery grey or
blonde, granular, layered material, with particle sizes of about 2 to 10 millimeters. If vermiculite is
known to have been installed prior to 1990, visual identification should be adequate to confirm the
material as asbestos-suspect.
The visual identification can be confirmed by laboratory testing, although caution in selecting the
laboratory is advised. The laboratory should be accredited by one of
the two US agencies that qualify laboratories for the analysis of asbestos in bulk samples. Even
these laboratories require extra care to detect the very fine fibres at these low concentrations.
Laboratories that do not specialize in asbestos analysis should never be relied on for asbestos
analysis.
If the owner decides to test the vermiculite for asbestos content, the US EPA advises using a
respirator effective against asbestos during sample collection. The sample should be taken from the
bottom and lower section of insulation since the finer particles or dust (which contains a higher
concentration of asbestos) tend to settle out of the vermiculite particles. Sampling only the top of the
insulation may provide a false negative analysis for asbestos.
It is extremely important to note that the overall percentages of asbestos in the bulk vermiculite are
very low, possibly below existing legal limits for asbestos. None-the-less, the airborne concentrations
can be very high when the material is disturbed, due to the very fine and loose nature of the
asbestos. A recent US EPA study of six homes in Vermont showed elevated airborne asbestos
concentrations even in cases where the laboratory could not detect asbestos in the bulk material.
Therefore EPA recommends that all loose-fill insulation visually identified as vermiculite, and
installed prior to 1990, be treated with asbestos precautions.
Vermiculite Insulation
Some vermiculite may contain asbestos.
Do not disturb loose-fill vermiculite insulation.
Do not store items near vermiculite insulation, if the insulation can be disturbed.
Do not allow children near loose fill vermiculite insulation.
If activities are planned that will disturb vermiculite, consult a certified asbestos removal company.
Where can you get more information on asbestos?
For information on how to minimize exposure to asbestos refer to:
It's Your Health — Vermiculite Insulation Containing Asbestos
Health Canada
For information on occupational exposure to asbestos, contact the:
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
135 Hunter Street East
Hamilton, ON
L8N 1M5
Phone: 1-905-570-8094
Toll-Free: 1-800-668-4284
Fax: 1-905-572-2206
Web Site: www.ccohs.ca
Pinchin Environmental Ltd.
2470 Milltower Crt.
Mississauga ON
L5N 7W5
Phone: 905-363-0678
Toll Free 1-888-767-3330
Fax: 905-363-0681
Email: info@pinchin.com
Web Site: www.pinchin.com
Please direct all general inquiries to:
Robin Connelly
Pinchin Environmental Ltd.
905-363-0678 Ext.1306
1-888-767-3330 Ext. 1306
For additional contractors who specialize in asbestos abatement and removal, look in the Yellow
Pages™ under "Asbestos".
The information above was taken from CMHC website and Pinchin Environmental:
http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/inaiqu_001.cfm
http://www.pinchin.com/hazmat/hazmat-news/pen16/testing.htm
Asbestos is a natural mineral with unusual qualities. It is strong enough to resist high temperatures,
chemical attack and wear. A poor conductor, it insulates well against heat and electricity.
Asbestos crystals become long, flexible, silky fibres, so it can be made into a wide variety of forms. It
can be spun into yarn, woven into cloth or braided into rope. Asbestos can also be added to
materials as diverse as cotton and cement.
This combination of properties gives asbestos performance capabilities that are difficult to match.
What has asbestos been used for?
Asbestos has been used in hundreds of applications and products over the past 4,500 years. The
ancient Greeks wove it into oil lamp wicks, funeral shrouds and ceremonial tablecloths. During the
1800s, it insulated the hot engines, boilers and piping that powered the Industrial Revolution.
For half a century, until the 1980s, asbestos was used in office buildings, public buildings and
schools. It insulated hot water heating systems, and was put into walls and ceilings as insulation
against fire and sound.
Asbestos has also been widely used in transportation and electrical appliances, frequently mixed
with, and encased in, other materials.
Asbestos has also been found in many products around the house. It has been used in clapboard;
shingles and felt for roofing; exterior siding; pipe and boiler covering; compounds and cement, such
as caulk, putty, roof patching, furnace cement and driveway coating; wallboard; textured and latex
paints; acoustical ceiling tiles and plaster; vinyl floor tiles; appliance wiring; hair dryers; irons and
ironing board pads; flame-resistant aprons and electric blankets; and clay pottery. Loose-fill
vermiculite insulation may contain traces of “amphibole” asbestos.
How has the use of asbestos changed?
When it became evident that regular exposure to asbestos on the job involved health risks, the
public became more concerned about exposure to asbestos in offices and schools, and, eventually,
about all asbestos products.
This concern has led to a dramatic decline in asbestos use since the early 1980s. The use of
asbestos insulation in buildings and heating systems has virtually disappeared. Residential use, for
roofing, flooring and appliances, continues to decrease.
While alternative products are being developed to replace asbestos, products sold today containing
asbestos are regulated under the Hazardous Products Act. Asbestos can be used safely, and public
concern has led to improved product design and manufacture. Asbestos is now better encapsulated
and sealed to reduce the escape of fibres.
Asbestos is valuable in many applications because it has been difficult to find comparable substitute
materials. For example, it is still an important component of brake lining and clutch facings.
What health problems are associated with exposure to asbestos?
Health Canada states that the asbestos content of a product does not indicate its health risk.
Asbestos poses health risks only when fibres are in the air that people breathe. Asbestos fibres
lodge in the lungs, causing scarring that can ultimately lead to severely impaired lung function
(asbestosis) and cancers of the lungs or lung cavity.
Concern for the health of asbestos workers was expressed as long ago as the late 1800s. The risks
became more evident in the late 1960s, when workers who had been heavily exposed 20 to 30
years earlier showed increased incidence of lung disease. Occupational exposure is now strictly
regulated by provincial governments.
When can asbestos be a problem in the home?
Today, far fewer products in the home contain asbestos. Current products that do contain the
material are better made to withstand wear and use.
However, frequent or prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres may still bring health risks. This can
happen with the release of fibres into the air when asbestos-containing products break down, either
through deterioration as they age or when they are cut. People can put themselves at risk — often
without realizing it — if they do not take proper precautions when repairs or renovations disturb
asbestoscontaining materials. This can occur in a number of situations:
Disturbing loose-fill vermiculite insulation which may contain asbestos
Removing deteriorating roofing shingles and siding containing asbestos, or tampering with roofing
felt that contains asbestos
Ripping away old asbestos insulation from around a hot water tank
Sanding or scraping vinyl asbestos floor tiles
Breaking apart acoustical ceilings tiles containing asbestos
Sanding plaster containing asbestos, or sanding or disturbing acoustical plaster that gives ceilings
and walls a soft, textured look
Sanding or scraping older water-based asbestos coatings such as roofing compounds, spackling,
sealants, paint, putty, caulking or drywall
Sawing, drilling or smoothing rough edges of new or old asbestos materials
How to minimize the asbestos risks in the home?
If you do not know if products in your home contain asbestos, have an experienced contractor
inspect them. If there is asbestos, the best interim measure (unless the product is peeling or
deteriorating) is to seal the surface temporarily so that fibres will not be released into indoor air. If
the product is already protected or isolated, simply leave it alone.
It is a complex and expensive matter to remove asbestos, and should be done by an experienced
contractor. When disturbing an asbestos product, maximum precautions must be taken to safeguard
the workers and anybody else who may be nearby. Asbestos dust must remain within the work area
so that it cannot be breathed in by unprotected persons.
It is essential to take adequate precautions. Everybody who works with asbestos should always wear
an approved face mask and gloves, along with protective clothing. Be sure to tape sleeve and
trouser cuffs, and wash clothes separately after use. Keep the work area moist to keep dust and
fibre particles from floating into the air. Isolate the work space.
Reduce the air pressure to prevent asbestos fibres from escaping from the work area, and filter the
exhaust air. Dispose of all waste appropriately, according to the guidelines of your provincial
department of the environment. Other removal methods may be warranted for special conditions —
consult an expert.
Testing for Asbestos in Vermiculite
Vermiculite insulation in loose form can be readily visually identified as a light weight, silvery grey or
blonde, granular, layered material, with particle sizes of about 2 to 10 millimeters. If vermiculite is
known to have been installed prior to 1990, visual identification should be adequate to confirm the
material as asbestos-suspect.
The visual identification can be confirmed by laboratory testing, although caution in selecting the
laboratory is advised. The laboratory should be accredited by one of
the two US agencies that qualify laboratories for the analysis of asbestos in bulk samples. Even
these laboratories require extra care to detect the very fine fibres at these low concentrations.
Laboratories that do not specialize in asbestos analysis should never be relied on for asbestos
analysis.
If the owner decides to test the vermiculite for asbestos content, the US EPA advises using a
respirator effective against asbestos during sample collection. The sample should be taken from the
bottom and lower section of insulation since the finer particles or dust (which contains a higher
concentration of asbestos) tend to settle out of the vermiculite particles. Sampling only the top of the
insulation may provide a false negative analysis for asbestos.
It is extremely important to note that the overall percentages of asbestos in the bulk vermiculite are
very low, possibly below existing legal limits for asbestos. None-the-less, the airborne concentrations
can be very high when the material is disturbed, due to the very fine and loose nature of the
asbestos. A recent US EPA study of six homes in Vermont showed elevated airborne asbestos
concentrations even in cases where the laboratory could not detect asbestos in the bulk material.
Therefore EPA recommends that all loose-fill insulation visually identified as vermiculite, and
installed prior to 1990, be treated with asbestos precautions.
Vermiculite Insulation
Some vermiculite may contain asbestos.
Do not disturb loose-fill vermiculite insulation.
Do not store items near vermiculite insulation, if the insulation can be disturbed.
Do not allow children near loose fill vermiculite insulation.
If activities are planned that will disturb vermiculite, consult a certified asbestos removal company.
Where can you get more information on asbestos?
For information on how to minimize exposure to asbestos refer to:
It's Your Health — Vermiculite Insulation Containing Asbestos
Health Canada
For information on occupational exposure to asbestos, contact the:
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
135 Hunter Street East
Hamilton, ON
L8N 1M5
Phone: 1-905-570-8094
Toll-Free: 1-800-668-4284
Fax: 1-905-572-2206
Web Site: www.ccohs.ca
Pinchin Environmental Ltd.
2470 Milltower Crt.
Mississauga ON
L5N 7W5
Phone: 905-363-0678
Toll Free 1-888-767-3330
Fax: 905-363-0681
Email: info@pinchin.com
Web Site: www.pinchin.com
Please direct all general inquiries to:
Robin Connelly
Pinchin Environmental Ltd.
905-363-0678 Ext.1306
1-888-767-3330 Ext. 1306
For additional contractors who specialize in asbestos abatement and removal, look in the Yellow
Pages™ under "Asbestos".
The information above was taken from CMHC website and Pinchin Environmental:
http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/inaiqu_001.cfm
http://www.pinchin.com/hazmat/hazmat-news/pen16/testing.htm
| Vermiculite Asbestos Insulation |
