Services
Experienced, certified, environmental consulting across the Kootenays and southwestern BC
We provide
Hazardous Material Services
Sphere Environmental is WorkSafeBC-licensed (Asbestos Abatement License #ASB-10003631) to perform hazardous material assessment and employs a team of WorkSafeBC Level-S certified scientists and technicians, assisting clients navigate regulatory requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation with respect to hazardous materials and occupational/industrial hygiene. Hazardous materials services include the following:
- Hazardous materials assessment satisfying building and demolition permit requirements for homeowners and contractors
- Hazardous material inventories for building/facility owners, operators, and employers satisfying WorkSafeBC requirements
- Hazardous material characterization prior to disposal as required by municipally-operated landfill facilities
- Mould assessments
- Development of WorkSafeBC compliance documentation for contractors working with asbestos, lead paint, silica, and/or mould, including:
- Risk Assessments (RAs)
- Exposure Control Plans (ECPs)
- Safe Work Procedures (SWPs)
- Hazardous materials awareness training for contractors requiring WorkSafeBC compliance
We provide
Mould Assessment
Sphere Environmental performs mould assessments to identify sources and conditions conducive to mould growth with potential to cause building damage and adverse health effects. Mould assessments are often requested to assess residual effects of moisture damage from leaks, floods, poor drainage, and poor ventilation; marijuana grow-ops; or chronic health symptoms associated with Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).
Sphere is able to interpret laboratory results from air, surface tape lifts, and/or bulk sample results and provide characterization of potential mould issues through a weight-of-evidence (WOE) approach. WOE mould results may be presented in a formal report which defines recommendations and abatement specification development allowing for abatement contractors to provide mould remediation scope and quote for clients.
Sphere Mould Assessment Services include:
- Visual inspection (for visible mould and moisture damage)
- Air sampling (for airborne mould)
- Surface tape lifts (for settled mould spores)
- Bulk samples (for mould content and contamination)
- Mould spore analysis (via
- Physical parameters (for temperature and relative humidity to determine conditions conducive to mould growth)
- Abatement specification development (for remediation contractor quotes)
We provide
Air Quality Monitoring
Sphere Environmental offers air quality monitoring to characterize a broad range of noxious substances harmful to human and/or environmental health. Following identification and delineation of noxious sources, we assist clients with recommendations for cost-efficient, practical solutions to effectively manage health and environmental risks.
Monitoring services are available for both indoor and outdoor environments within residential, commercial, institutional, and/or industrial settings for the following constituents:
- Asbestos abatement monitoring (via Phase Contrast Microscopy)
- Lead dust monitoring
- Airborne mould spore analysis
- Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) dust
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Particulate Matter (PM2.5, PM10, PNOC/R)
- Welding exhaust fumes (Cr6+)
- Exhaust products (CO, CO2, NO, NO2, SO2)
- Confined space entry (O2, LEL, CO, H2S)
We provide
Radon Assessment
Sphere Environmental conducts radon characterization in residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings, and perform preliminary assessment and design of mitigation systems in accordance with As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principles to achieve indoor environments that are safe for occupancy.
We work closely with radon mitigation professionals to recommend and execute installation of the following mitigation systems as and when required:
- Interior Active Soil Depressurization
- Exterior Active Soil Depressurization
- Sub-Slab Active Soil Depressurization
- Crawlspace Sub-Membrane Depressurization
- Sump-Hole Depressurization
We employ C-NRPP-trained and CARST-certified radon measurement professionals offering the following testing options:
- Short-term Testing (2-7 days, long-term test still recommended)
- Long-term Testing (>90 days, winter months recommended)
- Post-mitigation Follow-up Testing
We provide
Laboratory Services
Sphere Laboratories is the affiliate provider of hygiene laboratory services for bulk asbestos, airborne asbestos, lead-based coatings, and mould. Sphere Laboratories offers analytical services to the Metro-Vancouver region at it’s Burnaby-based laboratory, and for the Kootenay region from it’s Nelson-based location.
Sphere Laboratories offers responsive result timelines and competitive rates for the following hygiene parameters:
- Bulk asbestos analysis via polarized light microscopy (PLM)
- Analysis in accordance with EPA 600/R-93/116, NIOSH 9002, and internal standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- AIHA BAPAT program participant in good standing (Lab ID 286089)
- Airborne asbestos fibers via phase contrast microscopy (PCM)
- Analysis in accordance with NIOSH 7400 and internal SOPs
- Asbestos fiber proficiency testing program participant in good standing with Proficiency Testing Canada (PTC)(Lab ID 4125)
- Lead-based coatings analysis via X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) instrumentation via internal SOP
- Mould spore identification via direct microscopic examination (DME)
- Analysis in accordance with ASTM D7391 for air, ASTM D7658 for surface samples (tape lifts), and internal SOPs
We provide
Environmental Services
Sphere Environmental provides comprehensive environmental consulting services to support property due diligence, site characterization, and long-term risk management throughout BC. Our experienced professionals conduct Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) through to Phase III ESA delineation to identify potential environmental liabilities applying historical research, site inspection, and targeted soil, groundwater, and vapour testing, to ensure clients are able to make informed decisions during property transaction, redevelopment, remediation, and/or site closure processes.
Building on assessment results, we deliver environmental monitoring services to characterize contaminants in site media including soil, surface water, groundwater, and soil vapour enabling effective management decisions. Sphere also supports clients requiring municipal waste soil disposal applications, perform confirmatory soil sampling for underground and above-ground fuel oil storage tank (UST/AST) decommissioning, removal, and remediation.
Through every phase of assessment, monitoring, remediation, and site management Sphere Environmental assists clients with navigation of complex regulatory frameworks, working towards practical solutions, and achieving desirable outcomes.