Asbestos Test – How are They Conducted?
An asbestos test can either be sent in to a lab for analysis or conducted at home with a do-it-yourself kit. If the sample is to be sent in her testing you will need to prepare yourself and the area before taking a sample. Lay down a sheet underneath the area where the sample is to be taken, turn of any air systems, wear gloves and a protective mask, and wet the sample with a spray bottle that contains a couple of drops of detergent. Cut through the material with a small knife and take a small sample. The size of the sample for the asbestos test will be determined by the lab you take it to so make sure to call the lab first.
An asbestos test consists of analyzing the sample with polarized light microscopy (PLM). This test will tell you the percent asbestos that is contained within the sample and also the type of asbestos. The percentage of asbestos can range anywhere from one to 100%. There are three common types of asbestos which include chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite. There are other forms of asbestos but these are the forms most often found in commercial products.
To conduct the asbestos test, you will want to send your asbestos samples to an EPA-approved facility. These facilities test asbestos in bulk and most of them also test asbestos in smaller samples. After you choose a lab for your asbestos test, you will need to follow their procedures for proper handling of the samples.
There are also do it yourself asbestos test kits that you can purchase online, but the reliability of these tests should be researched before choosing this option.
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