What Areas of a Building Are Tested During a DSS?

During a designated substance survey, the area inspected and tested is the entire property or all areas of the building. It’s not an uncommon assumption that a Designated Substance Survey would take place only in the area that would be undergoing construction work. Still, in fact, the process typically includes the entire structure. This is because some of the 11 designated substances can pose a risk regardless of whether you’re on a separate floor or a different room. 

Where You May Find the Designated Substances

The Designated Substance Survey involves a visual walk-through of the site, where technicians/inspectors will identify suspicious material and collect samples for analysis. 11 substances are designated as hazardous to humans by the Province of Ontario. These substances require a DSS Report to be submitted if detected in your property ahead of a construction project, and here is where you may find each.

• Acrylonitrile: Used in industrial processes, a precursor to plastics and fibres. It can also show up in some residential spaces, including bathroom fittings and upholstery.
• Arsenic: Found in certain wood preservatives, naturally in rock, and in metallurgy.
• Asbestos: Found in old insulation, tiles, and roofing materials. Most property owners need asbestos removal in Toronto in a wide range of rooms, from basements to attics and the building envelope. 
• Benzene: A solvent in petroleum products, gasoline, and chemical manufacturing.
• Coke Oven Emissions: Byproducts from coking coal, a known carcinogen.
• Ethylene Oxide: Used in industrial chemical processes, sterilizing, and producing other chemicals.
• Isocyanates: Key components in spray foams, paints, sealants, and automotive finishes.
• Lead: Found in old paint, pipes, and contaminated soil.
• Mercury: In older switches, thermometers, fluorescent lights, and contaminated soil.
• Silica: Dust from concrete, mortar, granite, and abrasive blasting.
• Vinyl Chloride: Used to make PVC plastic (polyvinyl chloride). 

If you’re planning a construction project, prepare for a Designated Substance Survey Report, too. Preventative action, starting with a DSS Report and following with remediation or services like asbestos removal in Toronto, can save you money, protect your health, preserve your reputation, and streamline your project. 

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