Is there a way to test air in home for asbestos?
Posted on July 23rd, 2009 by admin
Asbestos
Does anyone know of a company or someone to call to come to my home and test the air for asbestos? And would it be costly?
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Does anyone know of a company or someone to call to come to my home and test the air for asbestos? And would it be costly?
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Filed under: Respiratory Diseases
Small Business Web Hosting
im not sure but try a local home safety hazard inspector or a local mold/mildew remover…theuy could at least tell you someone to call about it
If the home was built after the mid 50′s odds are you won’t have asbestos
Call your local public health office
MateMediaSoft
There are two types of air tests that can be done to check for airborne asbestos. Both involve pulling a measured quantity of air through an air sampling “cassette”. The type of cassette used determines the method of sample analysis.
The cheaper type is called Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM). It involves taking the filter in the cassette and, after prepping the sample, looking at it under a PCM Microscope. What the analyst is looking for are any types of fiber that meets a certain criterion. This could be an asbestos fiber or some other type of fiber that meets the criterion. The theory behind this is that if there are less than a certain amount of fibers found on the cassette filter of any type found then the air is clean. The problem with this method is that it is very subjective and has a high variance between analysts. This test usually costs about $10.00 to $20.00 per sample plus on site costs that may be up to $500.00 depending on where you are. The number of samples taken depends on the size of the area you want tested with a minimum of 3 generally required. Clearance levels (or clean air) for this method is less than 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc).
The more expensive and extremely accurate test also involves pulling air through a cassette and is called Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The analysis of these cassettes are done with an electron microscope and looks specifically for asbestos fibers. Analysis of these cassettes can cost up to $200.00 per sample with the same on site costs. The number of samples taken also depends on the size of the area you want tested. Clearance levels for this method is 70 structures per millimeter squared or less.
An accredited asbestos air monitor should conduct the test. Accreditations are issued by the state you live in.
I suggest looking at the environmental yellow pages (search on the web) to find a consultant in your area.
Dolphin Hosting
Icediver summarized it well. Look in the yellow pages or go to the reference at AIHA and use there consultant search engine. When you contact someone, have the date of house construction, why you think there is asbestos, and most important, how much you are willing to spend.
You may also want to check for radon which is a much more common and serious problem at the current time, especially in newer houses (after 1980).