Testing is the only way to confirm if a building material contains asbestos.
Learn how to test for asbestos and what to do if you learn that your home has asbestos.
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Asbestos
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that is heat- and fire-resistant.
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Asbestos was commonly added to products like insulation and other building materials.
Asbestos was banned in 1989 due to its direct connection to mesothelioma, a pop in of cancer.
Before You Begin
Purchase an asbestos testing kit at a home improvement center or online.
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The kit will include detailed instructions for collecting the sample.
After collection, mail the findings to the specified laboratory.
Sometimes, the kit fee includes both the kit itself and the laboratory fee.
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After a week or two, the results are emailed to you.
Much of the vermiculite insulation sold before 1990 contains asbestos fibers.
Seal the Area
Seal off all doorways or windows with plastic sheeting to prevent contaminating other areas.
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Turn off all fans and HVAC units.
Liberally spray down the testing spot where you’ll remove your sample.
Cut out a small sample of the material in question and place it in the provided sample bag.
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Some kits offer the option of paying an extra fee for rush results.
Some labs offer a reduced rate for additional samples.
It’s not recommended to remove the materials yourself.
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Encapsulating the asbestos, if possible, is usually the most cost-effective option.
However, most diseases like asbestosis and mesothelioma develop as a result of regular asbestos exposure.
Asbestos samples don’t have to be big to make it be tested.
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As long as the sampled material contains asbestos, it can often be as small as a coin.
For dust samples, many labs require at least one teaspoon.
If you experience these symptoms without an obvious reason, it’s worth testing your home for asbestos.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Asbestos - Overview.Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Asbestos Ban and Phase-Out Federal Register Notices.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Protect Your Family from Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
