Understanding the Hidden Risks During Renovations Renovating an older home or commercial space in Central Alberta can be an exciting project, but before you start tearing down walls or replacing flooring, it’s important to think about what’s behind those materials. Many properties built before the 1990s still contain asbestos, a once-popular construction material that was valued for its heat resistance and durability. Unfortunately, asbestos fibres are extremely hazardous when disturbed. When these tiny fibres are released into the air and inhaled, they can cause serious and long-term health problems such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. The danger comes from

Where Asbestos Might Be Hiding in Your Home Many Alberta homeowners assume asbestos is a problem of the past, but it’s still present in thousands of older homes and buildings across the province. From Red Deer to Calgary, homes built before the 1990s often contain asbestos in materials that look perfectly ordinary. Because these fibres are microscopic and mixed into building components, you can’t tell if something contains asbestos just by looking at it. Common sources include insulation, vinyl flooring, ceiling texture, drywall compound, and old pipe wrap. Vermiculite insulation, for example, was widely used in attics for its fire

When most people think about air quality in industrial environments, their minds go straight to respirable dust—the tiny particles that can make their way deep into the lungs. But there’s another side to the story that often goes unnoticed: Total Particulate Matter (TPM). Understanding and managing TPM is essential to maintaining a safe, compliant, and efficient workplace, especially in Alberta’s diverse industrial sectors, from manufacturing to energy production. What is Total Particulate Matter? Total Particulate Matter refers to all solid and liquid airborne particles suspended in the air, regardless of size. While respirable dust focuses on the smallest particles that

If you manage a business or work at a site here in Alberta—maybe in construction, energy, or manufacturing—you’re likely committed to safety. We all focus on visible dangers: the hard hats, the heavy machinery, and the safety harnesses. But what about the risks you can’t see, the ones floating right under your nose? We’re talking about respirable particulates, which are microscopic bits of dust and contaminants in the air that pose one of the biggest long-term threats to employee health. At Ask Environmental, we believe every Albertan deserves to breathe easy when they’re on the job. Testing for these invisible

When you hear “workplace safety,” you might picture hard hats and steel-toed boots. While that’s a big part of it, there’s a lot more to keeping people safe on the job, especially when dealing with hidden dangers like chemical and biological hazards. In Alberta, the rules for this are laid out in Part 4 of the Alberta OHS Code. This guide will help employers and workers understand what’s required and how to make sure everyone goes home safe at the end of the day. What Is the Alberta OHS Code? The Alberta OHS Code is a set of regulations that

When we think of workplace hazards, we often picture things we can see and touch. But some of the most dangerous threats are invisible. Respirable particulates, tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, pose a significant risk to workers in many industries across Alberta. This article will explore these silent dangers, with a specific focus on welding fume exposure in Alberta, and explain how effective management, often through industrial hygiene in Alberta, is critical for safety. What Are Respirable Particulates? Respirable particulates are airborne solid or liquid particles so small they bypass the body’s natural defense systems

As the owners of Ask Environmental serving Central Alberta, we see the stakes every day. Welding is essential to so many industries here — fabrication shops, oilfield work, construction — but what’s often overlooked is what welder’s lungs are exposed to on a daily basis. We write from experience: regular, professional welding fume testing protects workers, keeps businesses compliant, and saves companies from expensive surprises down the road. Why Welding Fumes Matter (and why they’re “hidden”) Welding releases a complex mix of metal particulates and gases — iron, manganese, chromium, nickel, zinc, and more — depending on the metal and

As the owners of Ask Environmental here in Central Alberta, we’ve learned that the things you can’t see can be the most dangerous in a workplace. One of the biggest hidden threats we encounter during air quality assessments is respirable particulates — fine dusts and particles small enough to travel deep into the lungs. They’re not just “dust” — they’re microscopic hazards that can cause serious health problems over time. Whether you’re in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, or energy, if you’re generating dust, there’s a good chance respirable particulates are part of the mix. What Are Respirable Particulates? When we talk

Ever notice that distinct smell when new carpet goes down or a fresh coat of paint dries? That’s often your nose detecting Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs. These aren’t just fleeting odours; they’re a significant concern for indoor air quality, and for our industrial friends in Red Deer and Calgary, understanding their impact on health is paramount for optimal occupational hygiene. Let’s explore what VOCs are, and more importantly, how they can affect the well-being of your team, from mild allergies to more serious long-term illnesses. What Exactly Are VOCs? At their core, VOCs are a diverse group of organic

The rumble of machinery, the scent of sawdust, the sight of towering structures taking shape – these are the hallmarks of a busy construction site. However, beneath the surface of this bustling activity lies an invisible threat —one that can have devastating long-term health consequences for workers: silica dust. In Red Deer and Calgary, like many industrial hubs across Canada, businesses in construction, mining, and manufacturing are increasingly aware of the critical need for robust occupational hygiene and air quality programs. What is Respirable Crystalline Silica? So, what exactly is this invisible menace? Silica is a common mineral found in