If you live in a built house in 1995 and have concerns that it has asbestos, you are not alone. There is a lot of confusion about whether or not homes built after the late 70s used asbestos-containing material. That is probably due to a lack of clarity on the matter. While the government says one thing, the media often misinforms the public. The truth is there is no outright ban on using asbestos; the U.S. government only banned the use of asbestos in certain products. There are still many building products using asbestos today. Ubiquitous asbestos-containing building material is sheetrock from China. It is permitted to enter the U.S., and builders often use it in modern homes because of its low cost. Others are vinyl floor tiles, asbestos cement products, roofing felt, and coatings, to name a few.
Can you test for asbestos yourself?
To be sure that your home does not have asbestos, Have the suspected building material tested for the presence of asbestos. You can purchase a do-it-yourself asbestos testing kit at a store, follow their instructions on collecting asbestos-containing material, and then send it to the asbestos testing lab listed on the instruction manual. The process is easy; make sure to clear the area where you will extract the material and turn off any running fans or ventilation systems first. Wear latex gloves, get a good knife, a spray bottle with a couple of drops of soap, sandwich bags, and a marker. Cut a 3-inch square piece, then place it in the bag and label it with a number and location. Make sure to take a minimum of 2 pieces of each building material if one tests negative for asbestos and the other positive.
Asbestos testing lab
You will need to take your sample to an asbestos testing lab near you if there is one, or you can also send a sample to test for asbestos by mail. 5 Microns Inc offers a mail-in asbestos testing service and can get you the results within 2-3 business days from receipt, with the option of same-day or next-day service for an additional fee. The lab results can be sent to you either by email or hard copy. The material is tested using PLM—Polarized Light Microscopy, indicating the presence, type, and percentage of asbestos.
Asbestos testing cost
It costs between $26-$40 per sample layer, plus any additional fees for higher point count or rush service. It is straightforward and affordable to test for asbestos.
Where can I send a sample for asbestos testing?
You MUST have the COC form inside your package but not in the sample bag. DO NOT MAIL YOUR SAMPLES BY FIRST CLASS MAIL. Send your sample(s) via USPS Priority Mail, UPS, and FedEx. It is essential to closely follow these directions so our asbestos testing lab can promptly process your sample(s).
Mail-in asbestos testing
5 Microns Inc.
7100 Fort Dent Way #100
Tukwila, WA 98188
Asbestos testing lab near me
IMPORTANT-MUST READ FIRST: All mail-in samples must have a tracking number and include our asbestos chain of custody form to be processed. If the chain of custody form is missing, your sample(s) will not be accepted and processed. Drop-offs MUST have the COC form inside your package but not in the sample bag. DO NOT MAIL YOUR SAMPLES BY FIRST CLASS MAIL. Send your sample(s) via USPS Priority Mail, UPS, and FedEx. It is essential to closely follow these directions so our asbestos testing lab can promptly process your sample(s).
Asbestos testing near me
*PLEASE NOTE FOR ALL DROP-OFFS: All samples must be dropped off at the back of the office building located at 7100 Fort Dent Way Tukwila WA outside the Tabor 100 Office and placed inside the black drop-box pictured below. Do not take your samples to the front desk. The front desk will not accept drop-offs over the counter, NO EXCEPTIONS
