In the basement of your house, there appear to be ceiling tiles. The style is not to your taste, and I would like them removed so you can have a more modern look in the room. After you talked with a contractor to do the work, he informed you that your ceiling tile may contain asbestos and that no work can commence until you give him a report that says whether the ceiling tile has asbestos. After all, the contractor is responsible for the safety of his employees and can’t risk liability.
How to test for asbestos
Getting ceiling tiles tested for asbestos is not tricky. Just get a good knife, cut a 3 square inch piece of the material, and place it in a sandwich bag; label it, write the location, and repeat in at least one more spot. It is also important to note that when getting a sample of ceiling tile, ensure that you get the glue dot—the adhesive that is often in the center of the tile, and it may also contain asbestos and needs to be tested well. You should also wear some personal protective equipment such as a half-face respirator with P100 cartridges and latex gloves, and since you need to reach up to get a piece of the tile, use a stable and sturdy step ladder.
Asbestos testing lab
At this point, you may be thinking, “how do I test for asbestos?” well, you are only going to get the sample, but an accredited asbestos testing lab must perform the testing. The lab will examine the model you give them under Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM). The test will determine the presence, type, and percentage of asbestos in the ceiling tile. If the material comes back with more than 1% asbestos, you will need to hire certified abatement contractors to legally and safely remove your ceiling tile. The Environmental Protection Agency does not regulate asbestos-containing material with less than <1% asbestos. It is possible in some cases to order a point count from the lab to get a reading of less than <1%. Suppose you have the material tested and come back at 2% chrysotile asbestos; you could ask the lab if they can perform a higher point count to get the percentage below 1%. If successful, you will not be required to utilize expensive abatement methods to remove the tile.
Asbestos testing cost
Testing for asbestos costs about $25 per sample layer. If you have a more complicated project, you should hire a professional with an AHERA certification to perform an asbestos survey. Be prepared to add at least $250 for the consultants’ labor.
Asbestos testing near me
You can easily find an asbestos testing service in your local area by doing a google search. But did you know that you can also find certified consultants by checking out the website of your local building department? Their asbestos office should have a list of current holders of AHERA licenses.
