Trust a Qualified Professional to conduct a Hazardous Materials Inspection
Planning a reno or repair? Before work starts, consult Epoch to identify any asbestos and lead in your home and have it properly removed for the health and safety of your family and everyone working on your renovation project.
Hazardous Materials Assessment
Asbestos
Hazardous Materials
Asbestos
Renovating or demolishing houses containing asbestos products can release asbestos fibres, which are extremely fine and can stay in the air for hours. Breathing in asbestos fibres may cause serious health problems, including lung disease and cancer.
If your house was built prior to 1990, it is required by WorkSafeBC that you test for asbestos and lead prior to renovation and demolition. An Epoch Environmental technician adheres to WorkSafeBC’s minimum sampling guidelines when collecting suspected building materials. They are sent to an accredited laboratory, Epoch Analytical for testing.
Request a Quote
If your house was built prior to 1990, it is required by WorkSafeBC that you test for asbestos and lead prior to renovation and demolition. An Epoch Environmental technician adheres to WorkSafeBC’s minimum sampling guidelines when collecting suspected building materials. They are sent to an accredited laboratory, Epoch Analytical for testing.
Lead
Hazardous Materials
Lead
Lead is a heavy, soft, bluish-grey metal that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust in small amounts. Much higher concentrations are found in lead ores. It can be found everywhere in our environment, not only because it occurs naturally, but also because it is used extensively in modern industry (mining, manufacturing and burning of fossil fuels).
In some situations painted surfaces are in poor condition. Often, paint chips are visibly flaking. These areas need immediate attention – but exercise caution. Repairing lead painted surfaces can create more lead dust.
Request a Quote
In some situations painted surfaces are in poor condition. Often, paint chips are visibly flaking. These areas need immediate attention – but exercise caution. Repairing lead painted surfaces can create more lead dust.
Mould
Hazardous Materials
Mould
One of the main consequences of moisture problems in a home is mould. Mould is part of a group of micro-organisms called fungi that also include mushrooms and yeasts. Mould is familiar to most people as food spoilers on items such as bread or fruit. Mould is nature’s decomposer in the food chain. However, if allowed to grow inside dwellings, mould can be a problem.
While mould itself does not cause damage to the structure of a house or building, it is a sign of potentially problematic moisture conditions that may eventually rot out wood framing and corrode structural steel.
Request a Quote
While mould itself does not cause damage to the structure of a house or building, it is a sign of potentially problematic moisture conditions that may eventually rot out wood framing and corrode structural steel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is asbestos testing required by law?
Yes, WorkSafeBC Occupational Health and Safety Regulation Section 6 requires that hazardous materials testing is conducted prior to any disturbance or removal of building materials within any 1991 or older structure. This means that contractors must provide their employees and the home/ property owner with a hazmat report to ensure that exposure does not occur. WorkSafeBC OHS Regulations apply to contractors and employers. If you are a contractor, WorkSafeBC regulations state that all testing and reporting must be conducted by a “Qualified Person”. Only having laboratory results does not meet WorkSafeBC guidelines for a Hazardous Materials Inspection (HMI) report.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
Our technicians follow WorkSafeBC guidelines when testing for asbestos. These guidelines are specific to the type of material and the surface area being affected. However, we always ensure to provide our clients with the most cost-effective solution to comply with all regulations without compromising the safety of those involved in the project. Epoch provide you with a free quote by following the “Request a Quote” button above.
Epoch has designated field staff to assist you. Depending on where your site is located in the Okanagan region and the scope of work, Epoch will commit to a 24-48 hour attendance from the time of scheduling to 48 hours thereafter sampling is completed.
I have asbestos identified in my building, now what?
Our consultants can suggest credible, third party, qualified abatement companies to provide you with a quote for your project. These companies are completely autonomous and independent from Epoch, ensuring that you get the best price for abatement services.
What is our service area?
EPOCH Okanagan provides services across BC, from the Lower Mainland to the interior. No job is too small or too far.
Should I test for Lead?
Yes, WorksafeBC also classifies Lead as a hazardous material that can pose serious health consequences. Lead is present in primers, paints and glazing surfaces. Our consultants always ensure that we test for lead so that no accidental exposures occur. Lead is especially dangerous for children, women, and those with underlying health conditions. Our team utilizes state of the art X-Ray Fluorescence technology to identify non-destructively test lead containing products immediately on-site. This saves time and cost associated with traditional lab testing methodologies. Lead is found is post 1990s building materials like ceramic tile glazing as we as older paints use a long time ago.
Should I get mould testing?
It highly depends on the persons involved, and the goal of the project. Epoch recommends mould testing to establish baseline results prior and after remediation. This helps us determine the effectiveness of the remediation. Epoch also recommends testing if mould is not observed but is suspected in concealed areas. People who are immuno-compromised, have asthma, lung conditions or mould sensitivity may request testing to be conducted to determine if mould exposure could be the cause of their symptoms.
Epoch Environmental Consulting
The Epoch Okanagan Advantage
Our affiliate companies, Universal Environmental Services has a long standing reputation of over 25 years in abatement and remediation and is a member of the BC Hazardous Materials Association and maintains an A+ rating in the Better Business Bureau. Epoch Analytical Inc is a fully accredited asbestos testing laboratory and is fully compliant and registered with good standing by WorksafeBC since 2007.
01.
Highly Trained Staff
Our staff possess a minimum Bachelors Degree or Master’s from a related science or applied science discipline. All field staff are AHERA Building Inspector Trained and adhere to WorkSafe BC safety regulations.
02.
Inhouse Lab Services
Epoch Analytical Inc is a fully accredited asbestos testing laboratory and is fully compliant and registered with good standing by WorksafeBC since 2007. EPOCH is accredited with the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation Inc. (CALA) for airborne fiber analysis (Membership No. 3533).
03.
Trusted Since 1994
Since 1994, Epoch Environmental Consulting has been providing specialized consulting and management services relating to asbestos and hazardous materials in both the public and private sectors: residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and, all levels of government agencies.
04.
Our Promise To You
Epoch Environmental Consulting is committed to ensuring the health and safety through inspection, material identification, and risk assessment of hazardous materials – primarily asbestos, lead and mould.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Your Health & Safety is Why We Exist
Epoch Environmental Consulting maintains a “client first” relationship by providing sound technical solutions that balance the requirements of compliance, risk management and fiscally responsible project management.
