For several years now, the use of materials has largely evolved in several fields including construction and building. Indeed, in Montreal, many residential and commercial constructions contain high rates of asbestos and mold. These particles, invisible to the naked eye, are particularly dangerous for the health of people who expose themselves and it is for this reason that it is important to detect the presence of these particles. The most effective means of detecting them is air testing.

Asbestos air testing

When asbestos is present in a residential, commercial or industrial building, it is very dangerous for the health of people who breathe the surrounding air. Indeed, present in very tiny forms and invisible to the naked eye, these particles are very difficult to identify in the air. Only the use of air tests can detect them.

Asbestos air tests are most often performed during asbestos removal work or when renovating an old building. Thanks to comprehensive asbestos air tests, it will be possible to accurately detect the quantity of asbestos suspended in the air as well as the level of dangerousness of this quantity.

Why is it important to remove asbestos from the air?

We will never stop remembering that asbestos is very harmful to the human body when the latter inhales it. In the long term, inhaling microscopic asbestos fibers can lead to serious illnesses such as lung cancer, asbestosis and chronic respiratory problems. It is therefore important to detect these fibers as quickly as possible in the building environment in order to live in an environment free from asbestos and other pollutants.

Essentially asbestos is found in vermiculites, plasters, vinyl tiles, flocking, flooring, but also in joints. It is also formally advised against touching or approaching materials likely to contain asbestos. This contact with asbestos could cause inhalations which in the long run will degrade your state of health. It is for this reason that after the air tests carried out, decontamination professionals will intervene to eliminate the asbestos while respecting the safety measures.

Why is it necessary to perform asbestos air tests?

The asbestos air test, when carried out, determines the concentration of asbestos fibers present in the building. It also makes it possible to estimate the rate of asbestos likely to be breathed in by occupants of a building. It is important to carry out air tests when renovating a building following a disaster, or when renovating an abandoned building as well as during asbestos removal work.

Therefore, before the air tests are carried out, the specialists take samples as well as numerous air analyzes. Thanks to a pump fitted with a membrane filter, they collect the various asbestos fibers and the samples are analyzed in the laboratory. It should be noted that these tests must be done on a daily basis in order to monitor the asbestos removal process in real time and thus minimize the risk of workers being exposed during their work.

Mold air testing

Mold is considered to be a micro fungus almost invisible to the naked eye which grows very quickly in a room in the presence of moisture. The presence in quantity of these molds disturbs the quality of the ambient air by polluting it. This can then cause serious breathing problems for people who are exposed. More generally, inhalation of mold spores can lead to short or medium term: eye irritation, headache, sore throat, cough, rum, etc.

The presence of mold manifests itself mainly through the following signs:

the presence of unpleasant odors of mold, fresh earth or alcohol;

blackish or greenish stains on the ceiling walls or under the carpet;

small warps or cracks in the walls.

As mentioned above, molds are invisible to the naked eye at the start of their development. It is from the moment when they are in high concentration in the enclosure that we observe the stains and that we smell. In order to detect rather the presence of these microorganisms in your enclosure, it is important to carry out mold air tests.

The different types of mold air tests

Several devices are used to perform mold air tests. It’s about :

• impact samplers that use a calibrated air pump;
• samples of cassettes which are for single use;
• suspended particle collectors.

Note that all of these devices are designed to somehow collect the spores for analysis in the laboratory.

Importance of mold air testing

Mold air tests detect mold in a building. They make it possible to ensure the presence or not, in large quantities or not of molds contained in the ambient air of your house. In reality, very few people are aware of the harmful health effects of poor indoor air quality. It is for this reason that it is important to conduct mold air tests in your home and even your workplace. You have to act quickly, because the health of the soul and body are important factors for well-being.