Asbestos can be a serious hazard; Cambridge Materials Testing are asbestos testing experts.

All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans, and may cause mesothelioma and cancer of the lung, larynx and ovaries. Asbestos exposure is also responsible for other diseases, such as asbestosis, pleural plaques, thickening and effusions (fibrosis of the lungs).

Currently, about 125 million people in the world are exposed to asbestos at the workplace. According to recent WHO survey estimates, more than 107 000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis resulting from exposure at work. Several thousand deaths annually can be attributed to exposure to asbestos in the home.

CMTL's staff includes certified asbestos technicians that conduct assessment of asbestos containing materials using state of the art technology in order to detect and identify asbestos and other hazardous substance containing materials in homes, schools, hospitals, institutions, industrial and commercial buildings. Prior to 1985, asbestos was used in many construction building materials such as floor and ceiling tiles, attic insulation, siding, pipe lining, plaster walls and more. The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act under Ontario regulation 278/05 define asbestos containing material (ACM) to be material that contains 0.5 per cent or more asbestos by dry weight.

If unstable or disturbed, ACM's do pose a potential health risk, in cases where ACM's are intact it is often more prudent to leave the material in place, safely sealed rather than remove it. Buildings constructed prior to 1985 should have asbestos testing conducted before commencing renovations, restoration work or before beginning remediation after fire damage. Anyone considering purchasing a structure built before 1985 should have an asbestos technicians conducted.

• Do you have an asbestos problem?
• The scope of your asbestos problem?
• The best way to eliminate or contain your asbestos problem?