F.A.Q.

Environmental testing is a critical safety step required before disturbing building materials in older properties. It involves a professional site walkthrough and sampling to identify hazardous substances—such as asbestos, lead, and mercury—that could be released into the air during construction. In British Columbia, this is often a mandatory requirement for obtaining municipal demolition permits and ensuring WorkSafeBC compliance.

We provide comprehensive testing for a full range of environmental hazards common in the BC Interior, including:

• Asbestos & Vermiculite (Found in insulation, drywall mud, and flooring)
• Lead-Based Paint (Common in pre-1990 homes)
• Mould & Moisture (Crucial for air quality and structural integrity)
• Radon Gas (High-risk in the Okanagan/Kootenays)
• Mercury, PCBs, and Ozone-Depleting Substances.

Our NIOSH-certified professionals visit your site to identify "Suspect Materials." We collect physical samples using safe, non-invasive techniques and submit them to accredited laboratories for analysis. You receive a detailed Hazardous Materials Assessment Report that clearly outlines the location, type, and concentration of any hazards found.

While the sale of most asbestos-containing materials was banned in Canada by 2018, it was heavily used in BC construction until the early 1990s. Even "modern" homes built in the late 90s can occasionally contain leftover asbestos stock in products like floor tiles or roofing. Because you cannot see asbestos fibers with the naked eye, testing is the only way to confirm a building is "clean."

We understand that timelines are tight. Typically, we can be on-site within 24–48 hours. Once samples are collected, standard lab results take 3 to 5 business days. However, we offer expedited "rush" testing for emergency situations where you need results in as little as 24 hours to keep your project moving. For emergency situations, such as burst pipes or fire, we can often be there the same day and have the paperwork complete in under 24 hours.

Yes, we adhere to strict safety protocols when collecting samples to minimize any potential risks to both our team and your property's occupants.

Don't panic. If hazards like asbestos or lead are found, the first step is to leave the material undisturbed. We will provide you with a Remediation Plan that details how the material should be handled. You will then need to hire a certified abatement contractor to safely remove the materials before your renovation or demolition proceeds.

To maintain total transparency and avoid a conflict of interest, Compass Environmental specializes in testing and consulting only. We do not perform the removal ourselves. This ensures our reports are unbiased. However, we work closely with the best-certified abatement contractors in the region and can provide a list of trusted professionals to handle the cleanup.

Yes. We serve a diverse range of clients across the Okanagan, Thompson, and Kootenay regions, including residential homeowners, commercial property managers, industrial site supervisors, and public institutional facilities.

You can schedule an inspection by calling us directly or using our online "Request a Quote" form. Because "If we’re awake, we’re open," we are often able to accommodate last-minute requests to ensure your WorkSafeBC Notice of Project (NOP) filings are not delayed.

We offer our environmental testing services all through the Okanagan Valley and Interior of British Columbia. For a complete list, see our service areas page.