Drywall or gypsum board itself will not typically contain asbestos (except some imported products), most commonly drywall mud or joint compound (DJC) can be asbestos containing. Drywall joint compound (DJC) may contain chrysotile (a type of asbestos), which is a soft form of asbestos but can lodge itself in the respiratory tract – see worksafebc site for the health effects of asbestos. Determining the extent of contaminated drywall in your home can only be completed using a qualified laboratory via microscopic analysis and not by the naked eye. Contaminated areas can extend far beyond what many deem safe because DJC is often painted(covered). A qualified person will help you in locating asbestos containing material (ACM) and developing abatement plans to remove all drywall in contact with DJC. Depending on the size of your project, multiple samples may need to be taken in order to verify that the area is contaminated. We recommend that samples be taken before any work begins by an AHERA ® certified building inspector.
