How to test for asbestos

Testing for asbestos is crucial for ensuring safety, particularly in older buildings.

Here’s how you can test for asbestos:

Why? Asbestos is hazardous to handle, and trained professionals have the expertise and protective gear to test safely.
How? The inspector will collect samples from materials that may contain asbestos (e.g., insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles) and send them to a laboratory for testing.

If you’re handling the sampling yourself, be sure to wear protective gear (respirator, gloves, disposable coveralls) to avoid exposure. However, this is not recommended, as improper handling can release harmful fibers into the air.
Wet the material with water or a wetting agent to reduce the release of fibers, then carefully take small samples from different areas.
Place the samples in sealed, labeled containers and send them to an accredited laboratory for analysis.

Once samples are collected, they are examined under a microscope to identify asbestos fibers. The two main types of testing are:
- Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM): This method is commonly used to identify asbestos in bulk materials.
- Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM): Used for more precise analysis, especially in air samples.

If you’re concerned about airborne asbestos, professionals can take air samples and analyze them for asbestos fibers, typically using a method called Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) or Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for higher accuracy.