- Surfacing Materials Asbestos-Containing Materials
- Thermal system insulations Asbestos-Containing Materials
- Miscellaneous Asbestos-Containing Materials
- How to test for asbestos
- Asbestos testing lab
- Where can I send a sample for asbestos testing?
- Main-in asbestos testing
- Asbestos testing near me
- Asbestos testing lab near me
There are two types of asbestos-containing material (ACM) categorized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—friable and non-friable. The friable type of ACM contains over 1% asbestos and can be crushed by hand, pulverized, and reduced to powder. Friable asbestos-containing material (ACM) is easily airborne when dry, and non-friable asbestos-containing material (ACM) can also become airborne when the material is disturbed, such as when removing popcorn ceiling texture.
The different categories of asbestos-containing building materials identified by the EPA
Surfacing Materials Asbestos-Containing Materials
These are spayed or troweled on. Examples are popcorn ceilings, textured walls, and structural members, used for acoustical, fireproofing, and decorative purposes. They are also used in plaster and fireproofing insulations.
Thermal system insulations Asbestos-Containing Materials
This type of asbestos-containing material is used to prevent condensation and heat transfer on pipe insulation, boilers, tanks, ducts, heating, and ventilation systems. It is also used on pipe lagging, pipe wrap, block, batt, types of cement and muds, gaskets, ropes, and blanket insulation.
Miscellaneous Asbestos-Containing Materials
Many non-friable building materials containing asbestos are ceramic floor tiles, vinyl sheeting and vinyl floor tile, ceiling tile, roofing felt, concrete pipe, exterior siding, wallpaper, and fabrics. It is impossible to tell if a material contains asbestos; therefore, the EPA requires that a sample of the said material be collected and placed under polarized light microscopy (PLM) for analysis by an accredited laboratory of the content of asbestos in the material.
How to test for asbestos
If you suspect that some building materials in your home contain asbestos, you can collect a sample yourself and submit them to your nearest asbestos testing lab for analysis. You need to follow some necessary steps to manage the asbestos-containing material with the lowest possible exposure safely. This method is very inexpensive and is best suited for situations where you will be doing a very narrow scope of work in your home yourself without help from outside contractors.
Wearing the proper PPE—personal protective equipment is advised when working with friable and non-friable asbestos. Some of the tools you will likely be using are a respirator or mask, latex gloves, a box cutter knife, plastic baggies, a marker, a spray bottle with detergent, and a ladder, to name a few. Makes sure the area is clear, turn off any fans or ventilation systems, and make sure no one else is around you when performing this task. You will only need about 3 square inches of material to submit to your asbestos testing lab, and you will also need to fill out an asbestos chain of custody form that you will include with your samples.
Asbestos testing lab
The asbestos testing lab can return results to you within one week of receipt and even the same day if needed, though there is typically a surcharge for such rapid response. You can receive your results by email and by regular mail if you wish. The asbestos testing lab will even be able to give you an interpretation of your results.
If the asbestos testing lab determines the material contains asbestos, it is best to contact a professional asbestos abatement company to handle the removal. They will have the expertise and tools necessary to complete the work safely.
Where can I send a sample for asbestos testing?
5 Microns Inc.
7100 Fort Dent Way #100
Tukwila, WA 98188
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
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
5 Microns Inc. Sample Drop Box
Asbestos testing lab near me
5 Microns Inc.
7100 Fort Dent Way #100
Tukwila, WA 98188
M-F 9-5, Sat 9-3:30
