Asbestos testing
Contents |
[edit] Why should one test for asbestos?
Asbestos becomes a risk to the health when the material containing it is damaged. When the material containing asbestos is damaged it will make asbestos fibers become airborne. When the asbestos fibers are airborne they can pose a serious risk to one's health and become the onset of conditions such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. By testing for asbestos it's a lot easier to eliminate the risk before it poses a danger.
[edit] How is asbestos tested for?
If a material is suspected of containing asbestos, the asbestos inspector will remove a piece that measure approximately 1 square inch. Once the sample is removed, it's sent off to a laboratory for testing. Laboratories have to be licensed by the EPA in order to conduct these tests. One can learn which ones are licensed by visiting the official EPA website.[1]
[edit] Hiring an asbestos testing company
While it's possible to test for asbestos yourself, it's definitely not recommended due to the risk of asbestos becoming airborne and cause serious medical conditions. This is why one should go about the asbestos testing process buy hiring a professional asbestos testing company to collect the sample and send it off to a licensed asbestos testing laboratory.
When hiring an asbestos testing company, you'll want to make sure that they have the needed licenses and certification required in your area. Requirements of asbestos contractors can be found out about by calling the local health department. As long as one lets them know that they're about to hire someone for asbestos testing and they want to make sure that the contractor is legit, the health department will be able to provide the needed information.
[edit] What to do if asbestos is found
If the lab tests come back saying that asbestos was found in the home or place of business then the material will need to be examined for damage. The EPA has said that the risk isn't there as long as the asbestos is encased in the material. It poses a risk to one's health when asbestos fibers become airborne.[2]
If there's signs of damage on the material that contains asbestos then one would need to look for an asbestos abatement company. When they're brought in, they'll be able to present a solution that's in the best interest of their customer. Normally this is removing the asbestos to eliminate the risk of becoming exposed to it.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
Leave a comment
Please leave your comments for this article on ''Asbestos testing''. We are also looking for volunteers! Read all comments here.
