- How to test for asbestos
- Asbestos testing lab
- Asbestos testing cost
- Asbestos testing near me
- Asbestos testing lab near me
- Where can I send a sample for asbestos testing?
- Mail in asbestos testing
Mail in asbestos testing
Now that you’ve closed on and moved into a new condo, there are a few projects you would like to tackle—change the kitchen cabinets, update the bathrooms. Of course, you want to remove the popcorn ceiling texture as you find it unattractive and at odds with the sleek modern look that you want to accomplish in your new home. But you know that your 1981 condo may very likely have asbestos in its popcorn texture, and you want to see if you can test it before taking it out.
How to test for asbestos
Fortunately, it is straightforward for anyone to test for asbestos, but you need to follow some basic steps to conduct the work safely. If you buy an asbestos testing kit, they will guide their instruction, but you don’t even need to purchase equipment to know how to do this. Let us show you here. You will need to get at least two samples of the popcorn texture from two different areas of the home, and the EPA recommends this to ensure that you don’t get a false negative. After you have decided where to get the samples, place some plastic covers underneath the collection spot to capture any falling material, you may want to tape it in place. Get a spray bottle with soapy water, some latex gloves, a half-face mask with P-100 magenta cartridges if you can, a sturdy and stable step ladder or a regular ladder, and a knife. You will need some Ziploc® sandwich bags to place your samples and a marker to label them with a number and location. Spray the surface with soapy water to prevent airborne fiber and scrape of about a nickel texture size. Repeat in other sections.
Asbestos testing lab
If you bought an asbestos testing kit, it is most likely from a lab where you will send in pieces for examination. The laboratory will usually test the samples under Polarized Light Microscopy, but they can also evaluate the models by Transmission Electron Microscopy. Once the lab completes their test, they will forward the results to you. You should always ensure that the lab is accredited to conduct asbestos testing before hiring them to do the analysis.
Asbestos testing cost
Getting an asbestos test is not necessarily pricy, especially if you are willing to do some of the work yourself. Expect to spend about $25-$50 for a DIY kit and $250-$550 for a professional AHERA survey.
Asbestos testing near me
There are lots of asbestos testing services in many large metropolitan cities around the United States. You can find an asbestos testing company near you by conducting an online search or contact your local building department’s asbestos unit for a list of certified and licensed professionals in your area—check out your local builders’ association for some names.
Asbestos testing lab near me
An excellent source for an asbestos testing lab near you is to contact the national voluntary laboratory accreditation program online for a list of asbestos testing labs; nist.gov.
Where can I send a sample for asbestos testing?
5 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).
Mail in asbestos testing
5 Microns Inc.
7100 Fort Dent Way #100
Tukwila, WA 98188
*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
