Glossary · Health & indoor air
Asbestos
Also called: asbestos-containing material · asbestos-containing materials · ACM · asbestos insulation · asbestos pipe wrap
A mineral fibre once common in building products; low risk when left intact, but dangerous to breathe when materials are damaged or removed.
What it means
Homes built before 1990 may contain asbestos in pipe and boiler insulation, vermiculite attic insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, plaster, drywall compounds, siding and roofing. You can't tell by looking; a lab test of a sample is needed. Canada banned the import, sale and use of asbestos and most asbestos products in 2018.
Why it matters in an audit
Suspected asbestos changes the scope, order and cost of insulation and renovation work, so audits flag it before anything is disturbed.
Typical numbers
Reference values with their sources. Your energy advisor’s report gives the figure for your own house.
| What | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Health Canada) | Mainly used in insulating buildings before 1990; 2018 regulations prohibit its import, sale and use, with limited exclusions | canada.ca ↗ |
In Canada
Health Canada advises hiring a professional to test before renovating and a qualified removal specialist if asbestos is found.