These dates are most accurate in the United States. In some other industrialized countries, significant asbestos use continued until about 2000. Don’t rely on a hard cutoff date, since bans on manufacturing sometimes allowed companies to use up their existing supply.
Before hiring an asbestos inspector, ask for documents proving they have been trained and approved in asbestos work by government agencies. To avoid a conflict of interest, stay away from inspectors who work for an asbestos removal firm. To find out more about legal requirements, contact your local or state department of health or environmental protection. [8] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U. S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source In older buildings, a thorough inspection of asbestos should be professionally performed to ensure that asbestos particles have not been released into the environment. This could be done through Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) or Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM). The first option is more precise because it can detect a greater range of sizes.
Turn off heating and cooling units. Close windows and doors. Tape a plastic sheet on the floor under the area you’ll be sampling, and over open doorways and other large openings. [10] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U. S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source Prevent others from entering the room while you work.
If you have facial hair that interferes with a tight fit, you may need a powered, positive-pressure respirator.
Wear gloves you don’t mind throwing away. Durable work gloves are ideal, but you can use powder-free disposable gloves. [12] X Research source Wear safety glasses if taking a sample from above you, to protect against falling debris. [13] X Research source Disposable coveralls with built-in footwear are ideal, especially if you are sampling a large area. You can wear old clothes instead and throw them away afterward.
Up to 90 m2 (~1,000 ft2) of plaster: Collect three samples. 90 to 450 m2 (~1,000 to 5,000 ft2): Collect five samples. Over 450 m2 (5,000 ft2): Collect seven samples. If there are multiple layers of material, or if plaster in different areas looks different or was installed at different times, treat them as separate materials and sample each one using these guidelines.
It’s a good idea to contact the testing laboratory first, as some prefer larger samples. For popcorn ceiling coats and other friable material (anything that crumbles apart when you cut it), scrape off about 5 mL (1 tsp). [16] X Research source
Never use a regular vacuum cleaner. Asbestos fibers can float in the air for hours. [19] X Research source Minimize your use of that room for the rest of the day, and consider an additional mopping or HEPA vacuuming at the end of the day.
The U. S. Department of Commerce has established a voluntary accreditation program for asbestos testing labs, and provides a Directory listing of the labs who have become accredited. Labs are listed by state and listings include links to the labs’ websites. Check out some well known international labs, such as the International Asbestos Testing Laboratory or EMSL Analytical, Inc. . Many labs offer testing for non-local residents, through Federal Express (“FedEx”), United Parcel Service (“UPS”), or United States Postal Service (“USPS”). Just run a search at your favorite search engine for “asbestos testing”. Check the yellow pages for “Laboratories — Analytical. "
Make sure the contractor is government accredited. Your local or state health board may be able to provide a list of accredited organizations. Trying this yourself is not recommended. If you’re set on the idea, make sure to comply with legal requirements in your area.
