| Asbestos Testing - Why? | | | | - Spray the sample with fine water and/or |
| | | | detergent droplets |
| Asbestos testing seeks to detect the presence | | | | |
| of asbestos in any given material. When any | | | | - Use a sharp knife to cut neatly through the |
| asbestos containing material is disturbed, it | | | | whole depth |
| releases very thin invisible fibers that may | | | | |
| remain suspended in the air for many hours, | | | | - Place a plastic spread below the collection |
| and have a causative association with a | | | | area |
| plethora of disease manifestations involving | | | | |
| the epithelial lining of human visceral | | | | - Minimize exposure to self/those in the |
| cavities, including the deadly mesothelioma. | | | | vicinity |
| Much asbestos containing material is being | | | | |
| unearthed nowadays due to intense remodeling | | | | - Handle the sample alone |
| and renovation of old structures, dating back | | | | |
| to days when asbestos was extensively used in | | | | - Wear gloves and mask |
| construction. | | | | |
| | | | - Drop neatly into an appropriate container |
| Asbestos Testing- When? | | | | |
| | | | After collection: |
| EPA's Sample List of Suspect | | | | |
| Asbestos-Containing Materials Exit Ecology | | | | - Minimize dispersal |
| lists the possible candidates for asbestos | | | | |
| testing. When in doubt, err on the side of | | | | - Proper sealing of the container |
| caution. Any surfacing agent or thermal | | | | |
| insulation material used in buildings | | | | - Patching of the sampled area |
| constructed earlier than 1980 is presumed as | | | | |
| containing asbestos (WISHA Interim | | | | - Proper disposal of the plastic spread |
| Interpretive Memorandum #99-1-C, January 19, | | | | |
| 1999), until proved otherwise by laboratory | | | | - Cleaning of the area |
| analysis. | | | | |
| | | | - Label the sample meticulously |
| Asbestos Sampling | | | | |
| | | | Asbestos Testing |
| Precautions | | | | |
| | | | Asbestos testing is carried out by a |
| Before collection: | | | | certified laboratory using polarized light |
| | | | microscopy (PLM) as per the EPA |
| - By either specialized laboratory personnel | | | | recommendations. |
| or under guidance. | | | | |
| | | | Asbestos Testing- Results and Interpretation |
| During collection: | | | | |
| | | | This form of asbestos testing is qualitative |
| - Minimize dispersal of fibers | | | | as well as quantitative .The results are |
| | | | given as the percentage (1 to 100) and type |
| - Avoid heating/cooling draughts | | | | of asbestos (chrysotile or white asbestos, |
| | | | Amosite or brown asbestos, and Crocidolite or |
| - Minimize the handling time and amount | | | | blue asbestos). |
| | | | |