Asbestos is common in homes built before 1990
Asbestos products are banned in Canada, but asbestos-containing materials were still common in
building products used for homes built before 1990. You can’t tell if a material has asbestos just by
looking at it, which is why you should always test for asbestos.
47%
Of work-related deaths were the result
of occupational diseases in 2020.
3,000+
Building materials and other products
contained asbestos before 1990.
Understand the dangers
Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause serious health effects such as lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.
In 2020, 29 per cent of deaths in Saskatchewan were caused by asbestos exposure.
Microscopic asbestos fibres are .01 microns thick (18,000 times thinner than a human hair).
Common asbestos-containing materials
- Built-up roofing and felts, roof shingles and siding
- Vermiculite insulation, ceiling tiles and coatings
- Popcorn ceilings
- Drywall and cement sheets
- Plaster, putties and caulking
- Electrical switchboard panels
- Plumbing insulation
- Pipe and duct coverings
- Thermal boiler and fireplace insulations
- Vinyl sheet flooring, floor levelling compound, floor tiles
Get expert tips and advice for safe
asbestos handling and removal
Hiring an asbestos abatement company, and not doing it yourself, is the safest decision when it comes to removing
asbestos from any residential, commercial or public building. Learn what to do when asbestos is found, to prevent
it from becoming an airborne hazard.
Take a free e-course
Created by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety and the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association,
the Saskatchewan Asbestos Awareness: Understanding the Risk e-course is designed to help you recognize and manage
asbestos-related risks at home and in the workplace.
Explore more asbestos resources
from WorkSafe Saskatchewan
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