Health Canada has recommended expanding the hunt for asbestos in homes on the Tsuu T'ina Nation, a native community west of Calgary.

About 600 people were removed from their condemned homes Friday after a house fire on a settlement known as Black Bear Crossing revealed a problem with asbestos, a known carcinogen.

Health Canada originally wanted 50 homes inspected, but now the search is likely to be expanded to all 200 homes at Black Bear Crossing. 

Dr. Wadieh Yacoub, a medical officer of health with Health Canada, says the band has hired a company to complete the testing and the work should take about two weeks.

Visual inspection to be followed by tests

Workers will start by examining drywall, linoleum and heating ducts where asbestos was used, he said.

"We also expect a visual verification of these materials and finally they will also do air sampling, which again will give us some idea of the exposure of the occupants who used to live there."

Waylon Big Plume and his family are among the 600 evacuees staying in hotels. He doubts he will ever return to the same home.

"We're very concerned for my … daughter. I don't think I want to bring her back there after what they were saying."

The Department of Indian Affairs will pay for temporary accommodations for at least 30 days.

Some of the evacuees told CBC News Monday they've been advised they will be in hotels for at least 15 days while the testing is done.

Concerns over airborne carcinogens

The issue was first brought to the public's attention in 1998 when the military abandoned the houses and people started to move in.

The chief and council at the time warned people not to move into the dilapidated units, but eventually hundreds of residents squatted in the homes because of a housing shortage. 

As the homes deteriorate, health officials worry carcinogens may become airborne.