Living around asbestos-containing material is a cause of concern for many people, and good reason. As valuable as the product asbestos is, it is a source of danger to anyone’s health, capable of causing cancer. Contrary to popular belief, there is no outright ban on asbestos-containing material in the United States; there are only certain products with a prohibition for asbestos. Plenty of building material still uses this fiber, such as roofing felt, Chinese drywall, joint compound, adhesives, and vinyl floor tiles.
Asbestos does not pose a health risk if the asbestos-containing material is not disturbed. However, in building material containing asbestos, the fiber may become loose over time as the building material ages and degrades, exposing individuals to the carcinogen. There is a latency period of 20-40 years before asbestos can cause health problems, and smokers are at 50 times higher risk of asbestos-related health problems than nonsmokers. Tobacco smokers may see symptoms as early as 5-10 years.
How to test for asbestos
You are concerned about asbestos in your home—the best way to know if your home has asbestos is to get the material tested for it. You can safely do this yourself or by hiring a professional. To test for asbestos yourself, follow some basic steps. First, get yourself a half-face respirator that fits snugly to your face, and attach P-100 filters to it. Get some latex gloves, a Tyvek® suit, a good knife, and a container to put your samples. Close windows and fans, and make sure to get anyone out of the area you are working. Cut a small 3-inch square piece and place it in a jar that you will label with a number and location. Collect at least two samples for different sections. Once you are done, remove the suit by carefully and slowly rolling it off into a ball, then place all the PPE you used in a heavy-duty garbage bag. Twist the top of the bag several times, fold the tale in half, and seal it with heavy-duty tape. You will need to locate an asbestos testing lab near you, or you can find one online where to mail in the samples for testing. The asbestos testing lab will examine your models using the PLM—Polarized Light Microscopy—method. Your lab will produce results showing the presence, type, and percentage of asbestos.
Asbestos testing cost
An asbestos testing lab will charge between $25-$50 to test the material for the presence of asbestos. But hiring a professional will add $300 to the costs mentioned above—it may be well worth it if you are not comfortable performing this task yourself.
Asbestos testing lab
Other options are next-day and same-day service. 5 Microns Inc does offer asbestos testing services with a standard turnaround time of 2-3 business days from receipt. You can drop off your samples, but they also provide mail-in asbestos testing services. Do not hesitate to call 425-440-8787. Email: clientservices@5microns.tech.
Asbestos testing lab near me
Microns Inc.
7100 Fort Dent Way #100
Tukwila, WA 98188
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 piece (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!
5 Microns Inc. Sample Drop Box
